Robot technology can strengthen the autonomous quality control of building elements
A large part of the quality control of prefabricated building elements is currently done manually, but the results of an innovative collaboration show that many of the tasks have the potential to be automated.
When a new building takes off in the cityscape, it often happens against the background of a long series of more-or-less hidden processes on factory floors. Many buildings are built from prefabricated building elements.
As the name suggests, this is major preparatory work, where parts of the construction have already taken place in specialist factory workplaces before the building itself takes shape. The elements are delivered prefabricated to the construction site and therefore simply need to be assembled.
However, this also means that thorough quality control obtaining precise measurement data must be carried out on the prefabricated elements on an ongoing basis. The elements must be delivered precisely as specified in order for them to fit together on site and the building to be built successfully.
– Today, companies make quality measurements at various points during production. This is typically done manually and is a time-consuming process. It is also an important process, because if you make a mistake in connection with the construction of the building elements, the mistakes can be difficult to correct later. This may mean that in the end you have to scrap some elements, says Senior Specialist at the Danish Technological Institute, Thomas Giselsson.
Quality control of 12-meter-long elements
To reduce this waste, the Danish Technological Institute (DTI), together with a number of partners from the construction industry, has participated in a WE BUILD DENMARK innovative collaboration. The project aimed to investigate methods that can automate a higher degree of quality control for prefabricated elements in concrete and wood.
One of the partners in the project is Taasinge Elementer, which prefabricates wooden elements for Danish construction in their factory just outside Bregninge on Tåsinge. Prefabricated elements up to 12 meters long and four meters high are produced daily.
Alexander Laning, who is Head of Business Optimization at Taasinge Elementer, describes it as a necessity for the company to search the market for robotic solutions that can automate several of the tasks.
– There is an increasing demand for sustainable construction, and wood is a large part of this. At the same time, we can see on the market that the labour force is going to fall over the next few years. So, we have to manage to do more work with fewer hands, and therefore we have to automate, he says.
And this automation is precisely what Taasinge Elementer obtained through the innovative collaboration. The project investigated whether a camera with suitable associated software can precisely calculate an element's measurements. These measurements can then be compared with the measurements specified in the CAD drawings for that individual building element.
– Specifically, we have used a standard industrial camera with a lens that can see an area of approximately 4x6 meters at a height of five metres. With the help of the measurements from the camera, you can compare the real dimensions of the specific elements with the dimensions given in the CAD drawing for the individual building element, says Thomas Giselsson and continues.
– There are several advantages for companies implementing technologies like these. You have the opportunity to digitise the process more and increase traceability, and you also gain the option of removing some of the many manual tasks that exist today and ensuring a higher quality in the process.
Robot technology creates value on the factory floor
Taasinge Elementer implemented their first robot in 2023, and they have since been discussing their next step with automation. And participation in the innovative collaboration has been a help.
– The project with WE BUILD DENMARK and DTI has clearly provided value that, if we had to find it ourselves, I would have spent oceans of time on and I would not know in which direction to look. Having a partner who already knows more about these technologies means that this automation was a fast and very good process for us to be involved in, says Alexander Laning.
Partners in the WE BUILD DENMARK innovative collaboration included, in addition to Taasinge Elementer and DTI, Fårup Betonindustri, Enemærke & Petersen and Thisted-Fjerritslev Cementvarefabrik. The project was supported by the Danish Agency for Education and Research.
Fact-foldout: Taasinge Elementer's gains by introducing robotic technology
- A better working environment for the employees – the employees work more ergonomically, and repetitive movements are reduced
- Greater work flexibility – robots can work and produce 24/7, unlike employees
- Increased product quality – the robot technology ensures more uniform products, which results in less need for subsequent corrections and fewer products wasted
- Opportunity to recruit new employees – normally new employees at the factory have been unskilled or skilled, but with robotics technology also comes the need for operators
- Increased production output