Research Prototype
Robotic Hot Wire Cutting
3D Milling
Research Paper
Coordination: José Pedro Sousa
Design & Fabrication Team: Pedro Martins, Pedro Varela, Rafael Santos
The CorkCrete Arch was an experimental prototype built in the scope of a research project concerning the use of robotic fabrication technologies for non-standard solutions in architecture. It combined 2 materials, cork and GRC into a self-supporting lightweight building system, designed to explore the integration of different robotic fabrication technologies in one constructive solution.
This is a description and analysis of the robotic fabrication process used in the production of the GRC components. The presented solution integrated robotic milling and hot-wire cutting technologies with a stratified mold design strategy that allowed for overcoming the limitations of each and enabled a time and cost efficient production process.
Photos: Pedro Varela