스위스 로봇 건설 프로젝트 혁신상 수상 Robotic construction project wins innovation prize for 3D printing building

Robotic construction project wins innovation prize for 3D printing building

  스위스 MIT에서 일하고 있는 스위스 연구자는 로봇과 메탈 철망을 사용해 새로운 콘크리트 건설 기술을 개발했다.

메탈을 철망과 같은 그리드 모양으로 성형하기 위해 로봇 팔을 사용해 기존의 프로세스를 대체할 수 있기를 원한다.

취리히에 있는 그라마지오 콜러(Gramazio Kohler) 연구팀은 2012년 부터 메쉬 성형 기술을 연구하기 시작했으며 연구소는 2015년에 취리히 공대에 개설했다.

개발작업은 플라스틱에서 몰드를 만드는 것부터 시작했고 연구는국립 NCCR 디지털 패브리케이션과제 중 일부분이다.

- 중략- 

황기철 콘페이퍼 에디터

Ki Chul Hwang, conpaper editor

Corey Clarke

Corey is a 3D printing enthusiast with an interest in all tech news and the wider impact of additive manufacturing.

Swiss researchers working at the “Swiss MIT” have created a new technique for concrete construction using robotics and metal mesh. Using a robot arm to mold metal into a grid like mesh the Swiss team hope to provide a successful alternative to traditional construction processes. Zurich based group Gramazio Kohler Research began researching the mesh mold technique in 2012. Research is based at ETH Zurich and it last year (2015) Gramazio Kohler started looking at using metal. Work initially began with creating the molds out of plastic. The research is part of the National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) Digital Fabrication.

A concrete model created using a digitally fabricated polymer mesh mold. Image via Gramazio Kohler Research, ETH Zurich.

For this venture into metal mesh the group won the Swiss Technology Award 2016. Norman Hack, project leader of the project called, “Mesh Mould” and a PhD researcher in architecture, said:

We are very happy about the award that highlights the great potential of “‘Mesh Mould’”

The initial polymer based mesh project. Photo by NCCR Digital Fabrication. 

In conventional concrete construction, pictured below, external formwork is required to contain the concrete while it sets in its required shape. Also, metal rods are required inside the poured concrete in order to provide reinforcement. Mesh Mould aims to eradicate the need for external formwork while still providing concrete reinforcement. Furthermore, this technique will enable complex structures to be built out of concrete without the need to create made-to-measure formwork, or complex metal reinforcement rods. This approach may lead to less waste since tailor made formwork cannot be used more than once.

Traditional technique involving framework and reinforcement rods. Photo via Devoran Metals.

Creating this metal mesh process required multidisciplinary expertise, including architecture, robotics, materials science and structural engineering. According to the patent Mesh Mould use a welding/knitting of metal filament.

The Mesh Mould in action. Photo by NCCR Digital Fabrication 

Mesh Mould will be used in construction for the first time in 2017 as part of the NEST building in Dübendorf, Switzerland. This is a modular research and innovation building operated by Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology and metal meshes will be used to construct a wall that will provide a main structural component of the NEST building.

The finished concrete structure using Mesh Mould. Photo by NCCR Digital Fabrication. 

In other construction news, 3DPI recently covered Sunconomy’s plans to use concrete 3D printers to build houses. However, unlike this Swiss creation those houses will be dependent on external structural support. Furthermore, American company Cazza are reportedly developing 3D printing technologies for construction as part of their ambitious plans. With news of this award, the Swiss team Gramazio Kohler are laying a firm foundation for the future of 3D printed construction and we are eager to see the NEST building next year.

Featured image shows the Robotic fabrication process. Image via The National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Digital Fabrication.

https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/robotic-construction-project-wins-innovation-prize-3d-printing-building-99598

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