The Digital Production Research Group

How can smart manufacturing enhance the development of circular use of waste products and materials? Since its launch in 2017, DPRG has a ‘learning by doing’ approach, including design, fabrication processes and development of tools (hardware and software). The group has a strong focus on integrating research and education into practical, hands-on projects, within the environment of the Robot Lab.

Every six – eight weeks, “Show and Tell” meetings are held at the Robot Lab to update students, teachers, researchers, colleagues, partner companies, interested parties and special guests. During these meetings, the DPRG and Robot Lab community show the on-going projects and their progress in an interactive, informal manner. It is an event where knowledge is shared, critical remarks are appreciated, tips and tricks are welcome, set-ups are challenged and empowering is key.

The Robot Lab can be found on the ground floor of the Jacoba Mulderhuis, home of the AUAS Faculty of Technology. Here, two large 6-axis robots (ABB IRB 4600) are mounted on a 8-meter track, two medium-size 6-axis robots (ABB 1RB 2600) and two mobile robotic cells are placed. The robots are used for a range of processes like Pick&Place, 3D Scanning, Milling, and 3D Printing (with a plastic extruder and 3D printing head specially developed at AUAS, by the Digital Production Group).