Fabrication and digital workshops
Gwyn Jones, Advanced Fabrication Supervisor:
It's unique to us because we usually use the robots for fabrication whereas this is filming. So we've put a robot onto a robot to give us reach over the set and then that allows the camera to run robotically over and over again.
The challenges have been getting the software to work and linking the two robots. We've never done anything like this before.
Tran Dang, Robotics Technical Officer:
The process needs to be very precisely repeated, not only repeated but the robot needs to be precise and flexible at the same time to have some very smooth movement. The hardest part, I believe, is how to put them all together correctly in the digital world and the physical world.
This project shows that the flexibility of a combination many robots together, could be applied for many fabrication processes in the future.
Louis Pratt, Art Director:
Two different post-processing languages to manipulate both robots. More creative application filmmaking, new ways of filmmaking, cost savings for rendering by making real sets, marrying a sort of a fluid filmmaking process with a D.O.P into a CGI workflow which is a unique thing.
Simon Rippingale, Director:
Collaboration between the Royal Australian Air Force, between researchers here at UTS, between this Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building, between an animation company up in Brisbane and also working with Indigenous creatives, screenwriters, directors.
It's a pretty unique coming together of different groups of people
Robot + Robot: Action! Just one example of how our workshops experiment with new technologies.
Fabrication Workshop
The Fabrication Workshop is a large, active and comprehensively equipped workspace that provides fabrication support for students to realise their designs either through conventional manual model making or the latest 3D digital techniques.
The workshop strives to provide a safe work environment where students can develop their technical skills. It contains a broad range of equipment for metal, wood and plastic fabrication. Access is project-based through coursework. The studio is permanently staffed, with a high level of technical assistance available.
Digital Maker Space
The Digital Maker Space is DAB’s hub for 3D printing and laser cutting and features:
- 6 x 3D printers
- 3 x laser cutters. 3x Professional 3D Printers (operated as bureau service).
It is open to all DAB students who use it for the rapid fabrication of architectural models, product prototypes and other design projects. The facilities are all bookable meaning that you can plan ahead for that critical assignment.
