IBM Unveils Robot-Assisted '5D Printing' System

IBM has filed a patent for a system that combines robot-assisted manufacturing and additive technology to create complex, three-dimensional objects.

The patent, titled '5D Printing With Dynamically Collaborating Robotic Systems,' describes a setup where two robots work together to manufacture an object. One robot holds and rotates the workpiece while the other guides a tool such as a nozzle or laser.

This allows for material deposition at locations that would be difficult to reach with conventional manufacturing methods, enabling the creation of objects with unique geometries.

To address the complexity introduced by the robots' movements, IBM's system includes sensors and cameras to detect unwanted movement, which can then be adjusted in real-time.