Noob

[CUarchitect]

Hello! I'm doing some research for an architecture firm / fabrication company. I have a background in 5-axis milling & digital fabrication, but I'm new to robotics.

We're setting up a lab here for digital fabrication research. My role is "digital fabrication manager" & I'm tasked with setting up this lab, executing research projects & training a staff of architects, engineers & fabrication specialists about the capabilities of digital fabrication so that this technology may be ingrained into our design process.

We'll be acquiring a multipurpose robot for welding, milling, gripping, etc... I want to be setup for milling, but I have a feeling that the majority of the robotic work that we will be doing in the future will be welding frames for large scale prefabricated modules. I'm fairly experienced with grasshopper & I have a background in executing the digital fabrication of parametrically modeled installations. The rhino/grasshopper interface is more realistic as a design/teaching tool for architects & I have been tinkering with KUKA PRC a bit. However, we have an automation company close to us in Alabama, USA & they have a relationship with Yaskawa for integration of robotics in manufacturing. My main question is: should I entertain their suggestion that we go with Yaskawa? Or should I suggest/demand that we go with KUKA for KUKA Prc? Is it possible to create a post for Yaskawa INFORM that could be used with KUKA Prc? I've seen HAL on food4Rhino & see that they have created posts for various manufacturers, however I'm not certain how active the creator of HAL is. (there doesn't seem to be much action in their forum & their website appears to need some updating)

Thanks!
-Wade

[Johannes @ Robots in Architecture]

Hello Wade,

In my experience, the capabilities of robotic arms are very similar across all the manufacturers, with the exception of some special models like the KUKA LBR iiwa or ABB YuMi. The main thing to consider is the local support, as well as the interfaces. In my experience, for example, the local KUKA office is awesome in some regions and not very helpful in others. So if you have got local support from a company that is already an advantage. However, I'm not aware of a plugin that supports Yaskawa robots from Grasshopper or Dynamo, so it may be complicated to get the data across and to properly simulate the robotic process.
From the KUKA side, you could try to get in touch with Branch Techology as they are based not far from Alabama in Chattanooga. Maybe they could recommend a good, local contact!

Best,
Johannes