Augmented Reality Assisted Robotic Tube Bending

InterLoop employs previously developed workflows that enable multi-planar robotic bending of metal tubes with high accuracy and repeatability (Huang and Spaw 2022). The scale and complexity is managed by employing augmented reality (AR) technology in two capacities, fabrication and assembly (Jahn et al. 2018; Jahn, Newnham, and Berg 2022). The AR display overlays part numbers, bending sequences, expected geometry, and robot movements in real time as the robot fabrication is occurring. For assembly purposes, part numbers, centerlines, and their expected positional relationships are projected via quick response (QR) codes spatially tracked by the Microsoft Hololens 2 (Microsoft 2019). This is crucial due to the length and self-similarity of complex multi-planar parts that make them difficult to distinguish and orient correctly. Leveraging augmented reality technology and robotic fabrication uncovers a novel material expression in tubular structures with bundles, knots, and interweaving.