From the Series
Basia Dżaman, a student from the School of Form in Poznań, Poland has customised a KUKA robotic arm to give it the ability to 3D print and weave at the same time. The novel technique was revealed in 2015 and is set to open doors to a number of potential innovations in carbon fibre printing.
Dżaman said her device coats carbon fibre with resin during the process. She models all the tools used by the KUKA using 3D software before she sends them to be 3D printed. The tools she creates is what transforms the robotic arm into a 3D printer and weaver.
“I focused on creating a fully working technology that allows you to make any carbon construction built around a supporting structure,” Dżaman explained.
So far, Dżaman has used her device to create a traditional Polish handcraft art called “snutki.” The hope is that the device will spur on exploration for other applications such as the printing of lightweight, cheap carbon fibre parts.
