Robotic Incremental Sheet Forming
In industry, robots are assigned repetitive, pre-programmed tasks for the lifetime of the machine. In contrast, Robotic fabrication in architecture exploits the potential of using robots in a constantly re-programmable tool, for bespoke, non-standard fabrication.
Robotic incremental sheet forming (RISF) is a formative fabrication process in which mechanical forces are applied to a flat sheet to cause localised plastic deformation out of place, so as to form it into a desired 3D shape without the need for a diet.
The work undertaken had three channels of interrogation: acoustic articulation, material behaviour and pattern generation.
The materials tested were: 2mm aluminium, 2mm steel, 1.5mm square perforated steel, 1.5mm circle perforated steel and copper.