Freeform Volumetric Fabrication Using Actuated Robotic Hot Wire Cutter

This paper discusses the design, fabrication and operational workflow of a novel hot-wire cutter used as an end effector for a robotic arm. Typically, hot wire cutters used a linear cutting element which results in ruled surfaces geometry. While several researchers have examined the use of hot wire cutter with cooperative robotic arms to create non-ruled surface geometry, this research explores the use of an actuated hot wire cutter manoeuver by a single robotic arm to produce similar form. The paper outlines the machine making process and its workflow resulting in a 1:1 scale prototype. The paper concludes by examining how the novel tool can be applied to an urban stage design. The research set up a fabrication procedure that has the potential to be deployed as an on-site fabrication methodology.

Modelling and Manufacturing of Complex Architectural Elements of Concrete Using Industrial Robots in Formwork Fabrication

The article is aimed at the description of design, 3D modelling and simulation of technology for processing and fabrication of the formwork for complex concrete structures. The process of fabrication of complex-shaped elements from the special composite concrete mixture with application of several sophisticated software, technologies and industrial robot KUKA Agilus is also described in this work. The RHWC (Robotic Hot Wire Cutter) technology fully matches the prior aspects of the Industry 4.0 concept. The study consists of four parts. The first part simplified describes the mathematical apparatus of parametric modelling for complex concrete surfaces in Rhino 6.0 software. During the research two figures was precisely designed and modelled. The second part is aimed at the description of contemporary architectural trends in complex concrete structures manufacturing, modelling and analysis of ability to implement the complex-shaped surfaces with the RHWC technology. The third part describes the materials for technology. Expanded Polystyrene foam was chosen as the optimal material for the fabrication of formwork for complex-shaped concrete structures for its cost, weight and processability, as well as the special composite cement mixture which fully met all the requirements for its fluidity and smoothness. The fourth part is demonstration of the whole fabrication process, formwork treatment and concrete pour. This work also contains all necessary aspects for meeting the quality requirements on architectural concrete.

Development of Neo-Ptero Tailless Micro Aircraft

Unmanned air vehicles (UAV) have been used for many years and it mainly focus on military purposes. Numerous UAV development have been popular worldwide because the low in development cost, operating cost and ability to provide accurate surveillance information and it is a better option for performing reconnaissance missions in hostile environment. However, in the past years a new type of UAV has appeared that possessed lighter weight and smaller in size and it is categorized as a micro unmanned air vehicle (μ-UAV). Although the nonautonomous ready-to-fly tailless μ-UAV exists among local universities, the development of non-autonomous ready-to-fly tailless μ-UAV is still open to be explored. Thus, this project demonstrates the development of the non-autonomous ready-to-fly tailless μ-UAV named as Neo-Ptero. A special CNC hot wire cutter machine was used in the Neo-Ptero fuselage and wing development in which has evidently produced high accuracy of shapes and geometry based on the CAD design. A 3D printing process was used to produce few parts in the Neo-Ptero μUAV model. The model was equipped with on shelves RC components for future flight testing purpose. The actual Neo-Ptero weigh around 1.3kg and has a wingspan of 120.6cm.