RECONstruction

Abstract

While there has been substantial development in the use of industrial robots for the tool pathing and assembly of fabrication components for architecture, there exists a scope for improving a methodology for the mapping of material substrate in architectural construction settings. Construction tolerances posit a problem since they vary widely from rough to finish applications and are often at odds with the demanding precision required in robotic fabrication processes. This paper discusses a series of tests of scanning techniques on three example substrates typical to wood construction, including: lath for plastering and stucco, spaced sheathing for cedar shingles, and traditional stick framing. Scanning substrates accounts for the gaps in tolerance that emerge from rough to finish construction such as variation in as-built dimensions, misalignment of members, and the adaptive behavior of materials as they adjust to new conditions. From a comparison of scanning techniques, a cost benefit matrix is developed to aid in evaluating the appropriate application of scanning techniques for various robotic applications.