Additive-generative Industrial Design for Robotic Automation

Teaching by research and tutoring Bachelor, Master and Ph.D. students of Industrial Design focusing on low-cost/low-tech robotics with the emphasis on simplicity by smart mechanics powered by artificial muscles co-developed by the speaker for Festo. For both innovation and strategic design management education is shown via case studies how to teach through research in a multidisciplinary manner. Blurring boundaries of professional compartmentalisation and contrary to fragmentation of knowledge are leading towards a new era of innovation by not mimicking nature. Visualisations clearly depict the design process, the managing of both the conceptual development and the alternative morphologies resulting in the final prototypes in comparison to the common industrial solutions. In the presented project this method is being illustrated via pneumatic gripper systems. Three bio-mimetically induced end effectors are designed and protoyped by additive-generative fabrication. Subsequently it is shown, that these three grippers may not be manufactured by traditional production methods.