Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Tom Van Mele is a leading researcher at the intersection of computational design, structural engineering, and digital fabrication. His work centers on reimagining construction through two key areas: robotic 3D printing of concrete and the mechanics of unreinforced masonry assemblies. Van Mele’s major contributions include developing function representation methods that enable the robotic fabrication of complex concrete geometries, and advancing "compressive assemblies"—a bottom-up performance approach that revives ancient principles of friction and balance for modern construction. His research on robotically controlled scale-model testing of masonry vault collapse (13 citations) provides critical insights into structural failure mechanisms, while his work on print-path design for inclined-plane concrete printing (7 citations) addresses practical challenges in additive manufacturing. As a member of the Block Research Group at ETH Zurich, Van Mele bridges historical building techniques—from Inuit igloos to Gothic cathedrals—with cutting-edge robotics and computational tools. His widely cited 2018 paper on function representation for robotic 3D printed concrete (19 citations) and his 2017 work on compressive assemblies (13 citations) have established him as a key figure in the push toward more sustainable, materially efficient construction methods.