Robotic Fabrication: Foam Cutting

Fall 2016 | Member of the UVA Architectural Robotics Research Group

Software: Rhino, Grasshopper, KUKA|prc plugin

Hardware: Hot Wire Foam Cutter, KUKA KR6

I developed this project as a member of ARRG in the Fall of 2016, as a second year undergraduate student. The goal was to create a foam tower using the hot wire foam cutter KUKA KR6 attachment. I scripted the pattern and the tool paths myself, utilizing the KUKA|prc plugin for Grasshopper. The pattern is based on a twisting square base, the toolpath requiring the robot to move in and out of the base with each layer.

After the foam tower was created, it was used to shape a plaster mold. Casting concrete inside of the plaster mold led to the creation of a unique planter.