Methods and Applications of BIM-Driven Robots in Complex Structure Machining

Abstract

BIM-driven robotic construction is becoming an important direction for the precise machining of complex structures due to the growing demand for free-form surfaces, large-scale special-shaped components, and digital fabrication. This paper reviews the key methods and engineering applications of BIM-driven robotic machining, focusing on semantic mapping, data flow integration, toolpath generation, calibration, sensing feedback, and end-to-end workflows from BIM models to robotic execution. In addition, the paper compares the performance of different construction robots, including articulated robotic arms, gantry systems, mobile manipulators, and parallel robots, using four evaluation indicators: positioning accuracy, processing efficiency, engineering feasibility, and cost efficiency. Typical applications in prefabrication, timber machining, and on-site robotic construction are discussed, and the DFAB House project is analyzed as a representative case of building-scale digital fabrication. The review indicates that BIM-driven robotic systems can significantly improve manufacturing flexibility and machining accuracy for complex structures. However, interoperability, semantic loss, on-site positioning, and closed-loop compensation remain major challenges for practical implementation.