Join us for a fascinating look into the world of large-scale robotic timber machining with Leigh Aitken, founder of Twig&Bot and CNC Creations.
Leigh brings a rare combination of skills to the timber industry: a background in robotics engineering and integration, paired with a passion for woodwork and CNC fabrication. In this session, he'll share how those two worlds collided, leading him to design and build his own robotic wood machining system, and ultimately start a company dedicated to large-scale robotic timber processing.
Leigh will walk through the capabilities of his system, exploring how it differs from traditional 3-5 axis CNC machining and what becomes possible when you combine the reach and flexibility of a robot arm with sawmill and CNC-grade tooling with chainsaw, bandsaw and spindle in a single workflow.
The session will also feature an in-depth look at a range of case studies, spanning furniture components and finished pieces, architectural and landscape-scale timber elements, robot-cut structural joints, and sculptural pieces and surface textures.
Whether you're a designer, engineer, fabricator or simply curious about the future of timber processing, this session offers a unique window into how robotics is reshaping what's possible with wood.
Presenter:
Leigh Aitken, Founder & Director - Twig and Bot
Leigh Aitken is the founder of the creative brand Twig&Bot and a specialist in large-scale robotic wood machining. Through his Melbourne-based business, CNC Creations, Leigh has developed a robotic wood machining system that combines the functionality of a sawmill with that of a multi-axis CNC machine, drawing on a decade of experience in robotic Integration.
The system uses a robot arm equipped with chainsaw, bandsaw and spindle-based tooling to process logs and large-format timber into intricate components and finished pieces for architects, construction companies and other furniture makers. Leigh also uses the system to produce a range of sculptural and functional furniture under the Twig&Bot brand.