This project showcases the use of an ABB IRB 1100 6-axis robotic arm to produce long exposure light paintings. The process of creating light paintings is typically a collaboration between long exposure photography and the human hand, using the trailing instances of a light source to draw an image in space. However, this project harnesses the precision of a robotic arm to render intricate and geometric illustrations.
To ensure the fidelity of the rendered geometry, this workflow requires precise calibration. Using a model of the LED and the breadboard it’s hosting on, I recalibrated the robot’s TCP (tool center point) to the tip of the LED to ensure that the digital geometry is accurately drawn. Leveraging the power of Grasshopper, I created wireframe geometry, which surpasses what could be feasibly achieved by a human hand in 3D space.
The HAL Robotics plugin within Grasshopper played a pivotal role in generating the essential positions, paths, and procedures required for the robot to bring the digital geometry to life. Moreover, this is where the DO (digital output) signals were charted to control the LED's illumination.
Before execution, I conducted a simulation in RobotStudio, thoroughly evaluating and resolving any potential misconfigurations. Once the simulation proved successful, the job was sent to the robot controller. While the job was in progress, a mirrorless camera, strategically positioned, captured long exposure shots of the illustrations.
An advantage of using a robotic arm is its ability to faithfully reproduce the same geometry repeatedly. However, the final results remain subject to the ever-changing nuances of lighting conditions, camera angles, and camera settings, adding an element of unpredictability and artistic variation to each image.
By merging the precision of a robotic arm, the intricacy of wireframe geometry, and the mystery of long exposure photography, this project explores a possibility when industrial technology and aesthetic investigation meet. The resulting light paintings are an interplay of light, space, and geometry, showcasing the synergy between creativity and robotics.