In this project, a cable-driven parallel robot was used to extrude cementitious material in three-dimensional space, offering a comprehensive new approach to computer-aided design and construction and larger-scale robotic manufacturing. Developed by the Faculty of Art and Design at Bauhaus-University Weimar (Germany), the faculty of Architecture at the Technische Universität Dortmund (Germany) and the Chair of Mechatronics at the Universität Duisburg-Essen (Germany), this approach offers unique advantages over existing additive manufacturing methods: the system is easily transportable and scalable, it does not require additional formwork or scaffolding, and it offers digital integration and informational oversight across the entire design and building process. The main focus of the research included the research components of robotic 3D printing with cables (e.g., computational design, material exploration, and robotic control), as well as the integration of these parameters into a unified design and build process. A large-scale demonstration was performed on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Bauhaus at Summaery 2019 in the Forschungsbau. Stahl of the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Studies at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar.

Team: Prof. Dr. Jan Willmann, Prof. Dr. Volker Helm, Prof. Dr. Dieter Schramm, Dr. Tobias Bruckmann, Michael Braun (Project leadership design and exhibition), David Hahlbrock (Project leadership material and fabrication), Robin Heidel and Patrik Lemmen (Project leadership robotics), Philipp Enzmann, Urs Winandy, Daniel Lethert, Patrik Bartnik, Paul-Andreas Maurer, Daniel Horn

Support: Prof. Bernd Rudolf and Dr. Christian Hanke (Bauhaus-Universität Weimar), Prof. Dr. Thomas Straßmann (Fachhochschule Dortmund)

Experts: Dr. Michael Werner and Bernd Gehrke (Pagel Spezial-Beton), Michael Engels and Uwe Flügel (Desoi GmbH)

Credits: Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Fachhochschule Dortmund, Universität Duisburg-Essen

Sponsors: Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG, Hülskens Holding GmbH & Co. KG, Desoi GmbH, Bosch Rexroth AG, Pagel Spezial-Beton, Carat Robotic Innovation, Wilhelm Kneitz Solutions in Textile, Ehepaar Oertgen (Duisburg), Inelta Sensorsysteme GmbH & Co. KG, Mehler Texnologies, Low & Bonar GmbH

Additional Support: The project is funded by the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar and the Creative Fund of the Department of Research. In addition, the project is supported by the Technische Universität Dortmund and the “Research and Transfer” department as well as the Mechanical Engineering department. Further support is provided by the Vice Chancellor for Social Responsibility, Diversity and International Affairs at the Universität Duisburg-Essen and the Universität Duisburg-Essen Support Association.

Further Information: link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41693-022-00082-3