{"id":2046,"date":"2024-07-27T16:37:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-27T14:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parametricsolutions.de\/?p=2046"},"modified":"2026-10-28T23:32:39","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T22:32:39","slug":"teaching-robotics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parametricsolutions.de\/de\/2024\/07\/27\/teaching-robotics\/","title":{"rendered":"Lehre: Digitale Fertigung"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Empowering Students with Robotics and 3D Printing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the MSA | M\u00fcnster School of Architecture<\/strong>, the future of architectural education takes shape through an innovative course in robotics and 3D printing<\/strong>. This program bridges the gap between parametric design and digital fabrication, giving students hands-on experience in controlling how their designs are brought to life. In a world facing challenges like the skilled labor shortage<\/strong>, modular construction<\/strong>, and digital building<\/strong>, these skills are essential for the architects of tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Design to Digital Fabrication<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The course begins with an introduction to parametric design<\/strong> using tools like Rhino 3D<\/strong> and Grasshopper<\/strong>, equipping students with the ability to create adaptable, data-driven geometries. They then transition into robotics, where they work with the Universal Robot UR5<\/strong>, mastering foundational skills such as robotic plane transformations, toolpath planning, and motion control. By engaging in exercises like 2D drawing with a pen, students learn how to translate their designs into robotic instructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Grasshopper<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The final phase immerses students in robotic additive manufacturing<\/strong>. Using larger robotic systems as the Kuka KR120, they bring their parametrically designed geometries into the third dimension, experimenting with various tools, angles, and trajectories. This hands-on experience enables students to fabricate complex 3D objects, such as intricate modular components for modern construction methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Why It Matters for Architects<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In today\u2019s architectural landscape, understanding digital fabrication<\/strong> is no longer optional\u2014it\u2019s a necessity. By controlling how designs are fabricated, architects can directly influence construction efficiency<\/strong>, material optimization<\/strong>, and adaptability<\/strong>. This skillset is crucial for addressing modern challenges like the labor shortage, the rise of modular construction, and the growing demand for sustainable, digital building practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The course at the MSA ensures students leave with more than theoretical knowledge\u2014they develop a practical, technical skillset that allows them to lead in the design and execution of advanced building systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Highlights<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The course, titled \u201cParametric Design to [Robotic [Additive]] Manufacturing,\u201d<\/em> showcases students actively engaging with digital tools and robotic systems. One notable project includes the work of Desislava Paneva<\/strong>, a student who, in a similar course, under the guidance of Adam Pajonk, M.A.<\/strong>, explored brush-based robotic fabrication. Her project highlights the creative potential of blending artistic vision<\/strong> with technical precision<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In the images from the course, students are shown working through each stage of the process, from conceptualizing parametric designs to using robotic arms for additive manufacturing. These snapshots capture the energy and innovation driving this essential area of architectural education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Student Project: A 3D-Printed Pavilion<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The pavilion is a project by Christian & Desislava Brunnert-Paneva<\/strong>, students at the MSA M\u00fcnster School of Architecture of FH M\u00fcnster. They designed it as part of a course and printed it in the robotics.lab of FH M\u00fcnster<\/a>. Concept and design are entirely the students’ work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Moritz Wesseler supervised the robot and enabled the print: his Grasshopper scripts convert the points of the students’ design model into robot code. These scripts are now part of LARGER.slicer<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Student Project: Building Material from Rubble<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In this student project, the robot prints a plastic lattice non-planar<\/strong> into space \u2013 a kind of reinforcement that also serves as the formwork. Filled with crushed brick and construction rubble, the lattice turns waste into a solid building element. The toolpaths for the free-form printing were created with our Grasshopper scripts.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Student project in the robotics.lab: non-planar printed lattice filled with brick rubble.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Course: Digital Sakral<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In the elective Digital Sakral<\/strong> (winter semester 2025\/26), students designed and reinterpreted sacred spaces with parametric tools and built them as 3D-printed models. See the projects from the final presentation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Final presentation of the Digital Sakral course, winter semester 2025\/26.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Course: BIM and Beyond<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Teaching is not limited to architects. In the course BIM and Beyond<\/strong>, Moritz Wesseler brings civil engineering students from the Building Information Modeling master’s programme at FH M\u00fcnster<\/a> up to date on parametric design, Grasshopper, CNC machine tools and robotics \u2013 to broaden their perspective for everyday professional practice. The course combines input with hands-on exercises directly on the machines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n