Timber construction has a long tradition and plays a central role in the construction industry. Traditionally, woodworking is based on craftsmanship and manual techniques that have been perfected over generations. Carpenters and joiners use a variety of tools and processes to create timber structures that are both aesthetically pleasing and structurally robust. This manual production is characterized by precision, flexibility and the craftsmanship of the workers, but also requires considerable time and physical effort.

However, with the advancement of technology and digitalization in the construction industry, a new era has dawned in timber construction: the use of robotics. The introduction of robots and automated systems into timber construction is revolutionizing the way timber structures are planned and implemented. Robotics not only enables greater precision and efficiency, but also the implementation of complex designs that would be difficult to realize using manual methods. By automating tasks such as cutting, assembly and surface treatment, construction times can be reduced and workplace safety increased.

A crucial aspect of this transition is economic efficiency. Robot-assisted technologies make it possible to significantly increase production capacities. Automation allows larger quantities of timber structures to be produced in less time, resulting in higher productivity and potentially lower unit costs. This can be particularly beneficial in times of high demand or for large-scale projects, as it allows companies to respond more quickly to market needs.

However, the benefits of increased productivity and efficiency are offset by significant investment costs. The purchase and implementation of robots and automated systems requires high initial investments in machines, software and training. These high investment costs can be a challenge for small and medium-sized companies and require careful planning and financing. Nevertheless, this investment can pay off in the long term by increasing competitiveness and opening up new business opportunities.

Overall, the transition from manual production to robot-assisted processes in timber construction represents a significant development that brings both opportunities and challenges. While manual skills continue to be valued and needed, robotic technologies offer new opportunities to increase efficiency and productivity. In this interface between tradition and innovation, hybrid approaches are emerging that combine the best of both worlds and take timber construction to a new level and this is exactly what we are looking at in today's newsletter issue.

Mr. Willi-Richard Brombacher writes with reference to the graphic below, which he created:

“I wanted to illustrate the time, costs, realization phases and the required material input for the functional construction of a fully automated timber construction production facility for timber frame construction/modular timber construction. The diagram was created for a newcomer to the timber construction industry, not for a company already active in timber construction. In the case of an established timber construction company, the first phase would not be necessary, as sufficient technical expertise is already available.

The aim of the first phase was to demonstrate the need for a lateral entry team to get to know and understand their own products from the ground up.

A thorough understanding of the basic manufacturing processes is essential before considering full automation.

Any commercial, technical and sales planning can be reduced to absurdity by output that does not materialize, possibly with unplanned but necessary manual work in the aftermath - not everyone can afford this and it must be avoided.

From the diagram above, you can already derive some basic parameters for factory and production planning, such as the floor space of the production facility, the level of investment, the type of machinery and the deployment of personnel in production.

However, comprehensive factory and production planning encompasses much more and requires the involvement of various specialist areas and disciplines.

Factory planning comprises the areas of overall or 1st factory planning, 2nd production planning and 3rd machine workstation planning.

In the first phase of overall planning, the focus is certainly on the cost/benefit analysis, i.e. it is considered whether an investment, in this case in fully automated production, is at all expedient. In the example above, the question should be asked as to whether insulated timber frame walls as a basic product in serial refurbishment are not just a temporary product that could be replaced in the foreseeable future by cheaper alternatives, also made from renewable, circular materials. If so, a 25 - 30 million investment for full automation would have to be reconsidered and partial automation might make more sense.

When we look at the second point, “production planning”, we are talking about clearly defined process sequences, material flows with short secondary routes, short transportation routes and appropriate personnel deployment.

Complex products and larger investments require forward-looking planning and consideration of medium and long-term trends.

This includes the possible consideration of oversizing the factory and production as a forward-looking entrepreneurial investment in order to meet future requirements.

The application of robotics is certainly an economically and technically interesting area.

My advice to anyone considering setting up/expanding a production facility is to be clear about the current product, the next generation of products and their medium and long-term future. Sometimes an investment in partial automation with well-trained specialists can be more beneficial than full automation.”

Conclusion

Timber construction, deeply rooted in craft tradition, has always relied on manual techniques and the skill of carpenters and joiners to create aesthetically pleasing and structurally robust structures. However, these methods require considerable time and physical effort.

With advancing digitalization and technological developments, a new era in timber construction has begun: the use of robotics. Robots and automated systems are revolutionizing the planning and implementation of timber constructions by enabling greater precision and efficiency and facilitating the implementation of complex designs that would be difficult to achieve manually. Automated tasks such as cutting, assembly and surface treatment shorten construction times and increase work safety. There are already many professional robotics manufacturers that have experience in the wood industry, such as ABB, FANUC America Corporation, KUKA and Randek.

A key aspect of this technological change is economic efficiency. Robot-assisted technologies significantly increase production capacities and enable the production of larger quantities of timber structures in less time. This leads to higher productivity and potentially lower unit costs, which is particularly advantageous in the case of high demand or large-scale projects.

However, the advantages are offset by high initial investments. The implementation of robots and automated systems requires considerable expenditure on machinery, software and training. These investments represent a challenge for small and medium-sized companies and require careful planning and financing. In the long term, however, this investment can pay off by increasing competitiveness and opening up new business opportunities.

Overall, the transition from manual production to robot-assisted processes in timber construction marks a significant development with a wide range of opportunities and challenges. Craftsmanship skills remain important, but robotics offers new opportunities to increase efficiency and productivity. The combination of tradition and innovation is creating hybrid approaches that combine the best of both worlds and take timber construction to a new level.

#Timber construction #Modular construction #Robotics #Factory planning

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