Digital Construction Platform

The DCP v.2 platform consists of a 5-axis Altec AT40GW mobile hydraulic arm with a 6-axis KUKA robotic arm mounted at its endpoint. These two systems implement a micro-macro manipulator robot architecture akin to the biological model of the human shoulder and hand: the large arm is used for gross positioning, while the small arm can perform fine positioning, provide oscillation compensation, and improve force control bandwidth. The arm system has a radial reach of more than 10 meters, and the system’s tracked base provides mobility to the platform.

DCP v.2 was designed using lessons from the v.1 system and has experimentally demonstrated significant improvements. The v.2 platform offers enhanced system control; additional environmental sensors providing real-time feedback to the system; a more rugged, compact, and mobile form factor; a fully electric powertrain with a diesel backup alternative; a photovoltaic-charged lithium battery pack for self-sustaining operation; and a digitally controlled tracked base providing system mobility. The system has successfully demonstrated large-scale digital construction with a range of different media and fabrication processes, including light printing, excavation, welded-chain construction, and additive fabrication with the Print-in-Place process. To explore the potential for on-site fabrication, an architectural test print of a 14.6 m diameter open dome was manufactured with a print time of 13.5 hours. Ongoing research focuses on further improving system control, particularly over nonlinear behaviors like link flexibility and micro-macro manipulator coupling; and developing new interfaces to facilitate interaction with the system.

This project was made possible by the generous support of Altec and Google.