Mobile Additive Manufacturing

 

This research examines the architectural implications of mobile robotics for AM in construction and develops methods for their implementation. The material deposition method of concrete extrusion is used to investigate mobile part-based AM strategies to produce large objects whose size exceeds the static workspace of the robot. By implementing advanced sensor and control solutions, autonomous localization and precise manipulation techniques for mobile AM are explored. In addition, this research aims to provide scalability to AM processes by examining the use of cooperative robots to collaborate on single fabrication jobs. The ultimate aim of this research is to develop mobile AM technology for its direct implementation on construction sites.

 Collaborators

 In cooperation with

  • Institute of Assembly Technology (Prof. Dr.-Ing. Annika Raatz) Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Leibniz University Hannover
  • Chair of Materials Science and Testing (Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christoph Gehlen), TUM
  • Institute of Construction Engineering and Management (Prof. Dr.-Ing. Patrick Schwerdtner), TUBS
  • Institute of Geodesy and Photogrammetry (Prof. Dr.-Ing. Markus Gerke), TUBS
  • Institute of Structural Design / Junior Professorship for Digital Building Fabrication (Prof. Dr. sc. ETH Zurich Norman Hack), TUBS

 Funding programme

This research is supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG) – project number 414265976 –
Collaborative Research Centre Transregio 277 "Additive Manufacturing in Construction"

 Duration

  • 2020-2024

 Publications

Additive Manufacturing using mobile robots:
Opportunities and challenges for building construction

Dörfler, K.; G. Dielemans, L. Lachmayer, T. Recker, A. Raatz, D. Lowke and M. Gerke
Cement and Concrete Research: Special issue SI: Digital Concrete (Status: published)
2022

DOI    PDF   

 

Mobile Additive Manufacturing: A robotic system for cooperative on-site construction

Dielemans, G.; K. Dörfler
IROS 2021 Workshop: Robotic Fabrication: Sensing in Additive Construction
2021

PDF 

 

Additive Manufacturing of Thermally Enhanced Lightweight Concrete Wall Elements with Closed Cellular Structures

Dielemans, G.; D. Briels, F. Jaugstetter, K. Henke, and K. Dörfler
JFDE (Journal of Facade Design and Engineering): Special issue PowerSkin 2021
2021

DOI    PDF   VIDEO