Automated Construction

"We will be researching, developing and prototyping a new construction system to aid in the development of automated and continuous construction. We work closely with our pool of UK based manufacturers to help streamline the construction process bringing it more in line with car production techniques which help to deliver a more efficient building process.

It is widely recognised that there is a shortage of skilled construction labour and that productivity levels are low in the UK. The solution lies in altering the way in which buildings are built by designing and developing new on-site machines and on site 'fabrication factories' which are run by smaller teams of semi-skilled labour. This concept has been trialled on previous projects, and now we will be working with Landsec who are one of the largest Office developers in the Country.

This is a unique combination of a small and innovative engineering Company working with Industry leading sub-contractors to provide new construction solutions to the most respected Developer in the Country who will provide the Industry insight and a clear route to market for the new innovations.

The on-site machinery is a combination of new equipment designed from scratch and adaptions of current construction technology to optimise the flow of work. It is important that the batch and silo work style on site is moved towards a continuous flow -- along the lines of a manufacturing site.

With automated construction, the refined measured work is carried out at the manufacturing stage in a controlled environment and a kit of parts is delivered to site which is then put together using our bespoke install machines or Sub Assembly Work Stations (SAWS). A level of standard stock items are kept in storage off site and delivered when needed in order to keep the site flowing.

BIM will be used to design of the buildings and sequence the construction. A walk through building using virtual reality head sets will be utilised, checking for clashes and potential improvements.

Construction tolerances will be tight for all the off-site sub assemblies and therefore the whole building prototype will provide proof of concept that construction accuracy levels can be improved dramatically, using multi-skilled labour teams, opening the door to automated and robotic assembly methods on site."