14th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction - Santiago, Chile - 2006

Beyond Pre-Fabrication - the Potential of Next Generation Technologies to Make a Step Change in Construction Manufacturing

Christine Pasquire1, Rupert Soar2 & Alistair Gibb3

1Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil and Building Engineering, Loughborough University, Leics, LE11 3TU, UK Tel: ++44 (0)1509 222895 Fax ++44(0)1509 223981 [email protected]
2Senior Lecturer, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Leics LE11 3TU UK Tel: ++44 (0)1509 227636 Fax ++44(0)1509 227648 [email protected]
3Professor, Department of Civil and Building Engineering, Loughborough University, Leics, LE11 3TU, UK Tel: ++44 (0)1509 223097 Fax ++44(0)1509 223981 [email protected]

Abstract

This paper describes a number of next generation manufacturing technologies which may find applications in construction such as digital fabrication and rapid prototyping. It will also look at some of the work being undertaken within UK Government funded research projects within the overarching area of Freeform Construction. In addition to explaining the technical processes and products of these, the paper will explore the delivery management issues and theorise how these next generation technologies have the potential drive lean thinking deep into the heart of the construction industry. The technology and delivery issues will be presented in a conceptual model of construction manufacturing. The underlying premise for this research agenda is the static nature of construction – with the basic logic behind the processes being unchanged for centuries, construction is probably the last bastion standing against technological revolution. Next generation manufacturing technologies have the potential to drive the paradigm shift needed to achieve the changes the industry is being pushed towards. This paper provides a view of a different construction industry for the coming century and shows the processes that may help shape it along the way.

Keywords

Construction manufacturing; freeform construction, digital fabrication, rapid prototyping, automation

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Reference

Pasquire, C. , Soar, R. & Gibb, A. 2006. Beyond Pre-Fabrication - the Potential of Next Generation Technologies to Make a Step Change in Construction Manufacturing, 14th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction , 243-254. doi.org/

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Founded in 1993, the IGLC is an international network of researchers from practice and academia in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) who feel that the practice, education, and research of the AEC industry have to be radically renewed in order to respond to the global challenges ahead.

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