Insights into automation of construction process using parallel-kinematic manipulators

Abstract

This article discusses challenges, experiences and lessons learned so far while transforming a masonry build system based mostly on manual labour into a robot automated build system. Our motivation for selection of this masonry process is to try out how robot automation could impact the architects in their design work by providing a tool to directly manipulate wall expression down to individual brick level. Such manipulation is often much too costly for manual labour today. Moreover, masonry is a challenging application to automate. Understanding the manual processes involved and transforming them into automation equivalents faces several challenges; among them handling and distribution of the different materials involved, selection of tooling, sensing for handling of variation and digital tooling for the programming of the process.