ABSTRACT
This installation is an exploration into the development of three dimensional printing at an architectural scale using a 6-axis robotic arm, and custom end-effector capable of extruding plastic filament. The intent of this research project is not to simply 3D print a wall system but instead to print reinforcement for a concrete wall, which will also serve as the formwork for said wall. This process would remove the need for construction of costly complex formwork for curved walls. The print head builds upon relatively conventional methods of extruding filament called Fused Deposition modeling. The geometry of the print itself is generated by dividing the desired geometry into layers. Each layer is approximately 50mm apart. The extrusion material is acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The geometry of the system operates much like a space frame truss, resisting loads in each direction through triangulation. The system is limited only by the restriction of the reach of the robotic arm.
