Robotic tile placement: Tools, techniques and feasibility

The project develops an integrated digital workflow [1] for robotic tile placement that allows off-site use of industrial robotics for on-site tiled surfaces, and tests feasibility in the context of the tile industry. The proposed approach overcomes limitations of existing methods that focus on efficiency [2,3] by enabling unique and complex tile patterns. A design experiment is used during the development of computational and robotic technologies. Integration and industry implementation were studied through interviews with experts, field studies, and literature research that included a review of U.S. tile installation standards [4]. A Rhinoceros™ based digital workflow was developed that includes complex pattern generation, integrated robotic programming and simulation, and cost/time estimation. The paper describes strategies for pre-tiled panels, recommends specific material combinations, and includes basic cost estimation in the context of construction. Robotic tile placement ultimately adds value by moving installation of tile patterns to the place of tile production.