Light-Responsive 3D Printing
Light-Responsive 3D Branching © CREATE
ABOUT THE PROJECT
This research explores a stimulus-responsive method for 3D printing, inspired by phototropism, the ability of plants to orient their growth toward a light source. Departing from predetermined CAD toolpaths, the system employs real-time camera sensing to detect the position of a light stimulus, guiding each deposition cycle dynamically. An agent-based model (ABM) interprets the sensory input to define immediate deposition targets, while a discrete deposition algorithm generates G-code in real time, enabling truly adaptive fabrication.
Built with off-the-shelf components, a standard 3D printer, a camera, and an LED lamp, the system operates within a ROS2-based workflow that integrates sensing, computation, and actuation. Local interactions such as branching and merging enrich the primary phototropic behaviour, allowing the structure to adapt proactively to environmental change. Experimental trials demonstrated reliable responsiveness to shifting light conditions and the emergence of coordinated multi-agent behaviours.
This behavioural fabrication approach allows each unit of material to respond directly to live environmental data. Its modular architecture can be scaled from desktop systems to large-scale clay or concrete printing, offering a significant advancement towards adaptive, context-aware construction processes.
PROJECT CREDITS
SDU CREATE, Led by Ass. Prof. Dr. Roberto Naboni - University of Southern Denmark
Research Team: Lucas Helle, Joseph Naguib, Roberto Naboni
Funding: Villum Foundation - Villum Young Investigator Programme (grant number 53094)