Cobod Unveils BOD2 Multifunctional Gantry Robot for 3D Construction Printing
COBOD has expanded the boundaries of automated infrastructure development with the commercial rollout of its BOD2 3D gantry printer, engineered in collaboration with Technische Universität Braunschweig. Designed to handle complex structural fabrication on demanding job sites, the system integrates fluid concrete deposition with modular tooling capabilities, allowing construction firms to execute automated layer-by-layer material extrusion alongside physical material handling tasks within a single unified platform.
The architectural layout of modern industrial construction demands systems capable of operating efficiently across expansive work envelopes without sacrificing structural accuracy. The BOD2 structure addresses this by utilizing modular steel trusses that scale to accommodate varying project lengths, featuring a maximum printing width of 14.62 meters and a height of 8.54 meters. By enveloping the entire active build site, the gantry coordinates material deposition using a specialized telescoping vertical head. This head supports adjustable tool attachments, giving site operators the flexibility to shift between precision shotcrete application, automated brick laying via physical grippers, and surface finishing routines such as material sanding.
Driving this physical hardware is an advanced software suite that automates the transition from digital drafting to physical execution. The proprietary application environment ingests standard 3D CAD data, computes complex spatial slices, and translates geometric models directly into optimized G-code toolpaths. This digital integration eliminates the requirement for exhaustive manual robot programming on-site, streamlining the deployment of modular construction workflows. Furthermore, the system's ability to print interior and exterior walls simultaneously significantly reduces structural lead times while cutting down on labor overhead and material waste. By merging high-capacity additive manufacturing with versatile material handling robotics, the platform offers contractors a scalable pathway toward fully digitized, automated building sites.
Written by Marcus Vance, a senior industrial robotics engineer and structural automation consultant with over fourteen years of experience deploying gantry systems, heavy manufacturing cells, and automated material handling architectures.