Innovations in window manufactring through implementation of automation and robotic technologies

Abstract

The application of Automation and Robotics in Construction has been growing in industrialized construction, in the context of what has been named as Construction 4.0. For the specific context of houses prefabrication in wood-frame building system, there is a great deal of research to automate tasks or activities in the workstations of lines of production offsite, in the factory. Among the objectives, the project aim to increase productivity as well as to create a better and safe environment for human workers. Beyond that, with the increase adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM), there is a necessity to solve integration between IT systems and the control of machines in the factory floor. This research will focus in the innovation in the production of windows for modular prefabricated houses: 1) Research and development on uPVC welding processes for window manufacturing 2) Automatic handling of window frame assemblies 3) Design and development of automated visual inspection systems for quality control and assurance of window frames.