Robotic Industrialization
Automation and Robotic Technologies for Customized Component, Module, and Building Prefabrication

This volume outlines robotic technologies in building-component manufacturing, which have the potential to deliver complex products.

Thomas Bock (Author), Thomas Linner (Author)

9781107076396, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 10 August 2015

260 pages, 482 b/w illus. 85 tables
26 x 18.2 x 1.6 cm, 0.74 kg

In this volume, concepts, technologies and developments in the field of building-component manufacturing - based on concrete, brick, wood and steel as building materials and on large-scale prefabrication, delivering complex, customized components and products - are introduced and discussed. Robotic industrialization refers to the transformation of parts and low-level components into higher-level components, modules and finally building systems by highly mechanized, automated, or robot-supported industrial settings in structured off-site environments. Components and modules are open building systems (in modular building product structures) that are delivered by suppliers to original equipment manufacturers such as, for example, large-scale prefabrication companies or automated/robotic on-site factories. In particular, innovative large-scale prefabrication companies have altered the building structures, manufacturing processes, and organizational structures significantly to be able to assemble in their factories high-level components and modules from Tier-1 suppliers into customized buildings by heavily utilizing robotic technology in combination with automated logistics and production lines.

1. Introduction
2. Automation and robotics in building-component manufacturing
3. Building-module manufacturing
4. Comparison of large-scale building manufacturing in different countries
5. Large-scale building-system manufacturing in Japan.

Subject Areas: Structural engineering [TNC], Civil engineering, surveying & building [TN], Engineering graphics & technical drawing [TBG], Technical design [TBD], Environmental management [RNF], Environmentalist, conservationist & Green organizations [RNB]