Shohei Katakura

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Dr. Shohei Katakura is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of digital fabrication and robotics, best known for reimagining the 3D printer as an active robotic manipulator rather than a passive manufacturing tool. In his highly influential 2019 work, “A 3D Printer Head as a Robotic Manipulator,” he introduced novel methods for using a low-cost 3D printer head as a three-axis robotic arm capable of assembling separate printed parts, breaking support materials, and actuating printed objects directly on the build plate. This foundational paper has earned 13 citations and opened new pathways for automated, multi-step fabrication without human intervention. Dr. Katakura’s contributions bridge the gap between additive manufacturing and robotics, enabling machines to both print and manipulate their own creations. His work is particularly notable for its focus on accessible, low-cost hardware, making advanced fabrication techniques available to a broader research community. By transforming the humble 3D printer into a versatile robotic system, Dr. Katakura has inspired a new generation of researchers to rethink the boundaries of what desktop manufacturing can achieve.