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Building construction is the process of assembling materials to form a building.
Though foundation work and lifting could be done by machines, other tasks are difficult for machines due to limited space and the inability of robots to match the skill of a workman's hands.
Mechatronic systems engineering, however, is making steady progress toward the goal of taking over the latter tasks from humans. |
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The SMART system shown in fig.1 opens up a new era in building construction. The core of the system consists of a roof equipped with a lifting mechanism, machines erecting structural steel frames and curtain walls, automatic welding machines, and a control system. Construction takes place in stages; the roof is raised a level, the steel structure is erected and outer panels are attached, then the process is repeated. The roof also helps eliminate construction delays due to inclement weather.
 
The automatic welding machine (fig.2) equipped with a laser sensor is easy to attach to a column, and welds column corners which are difficult for other welding machines.
A human worker must carry a heavy spray nozzle and walk along a steel beam on a scaffold among drifting dust. The SSR-3
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(fig.3), successor to the SSR-2 - the first robot used in the construction site, travels autonomousley along the beam on which rock wool is sprayed. The Wet Boy (fig.4), a lightweight and semi-automated machine, is a popular-edition fire protection sprayer.
Uniform finishing of concrete floors is an arduous task; a finisher must push a power float over the wet concrete, then hand-trowel it on hands and knees. The Flat-kn (fig.5) concrete florr finisher does the job in about one-third the time.
The SB Multi-Coater (fig.6), an automatic sprayer, can handle almost any exterior wall finishing job, from primer coating and textured coating to mastic and top coating, up to five times faster than handspraying.
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Shimizu has developed a wide range of machines to handle different materials and construction chores. The CFR-1 plasterboard positioning robot (fig.7) picks up individual panels and moves them to pre-programmed position for plasterboard ceiling installation.
The Monopole (fig.8), a machine for erecting ALC (Autoclaved Lightweight Aerated Concrete) panels is used to raise exterior and interior panels previously raised by hand or crane.
Glazing, a delicate task that used to require muscular streangth, can now be handeled by Glaxing Robot (fig.9), which is equipped with a balancing mechanism.
 
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The rapid expansion of the Japanese economy has created infrastructure pressures; it has been difficult for construction to keep pace with the demands on drainage and highway systems.
At the same time, Japan's labor force is aging, and the country's economy is placing increasing weight on tertiary industries.
Mechatronics and systems engineering are essential elements of the nation's response to the need for labor-saving construction methods. |
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Originally introduced to Japan from Europe, tunneling shields have undergone significant development and improvment in Japan.
Shimizu's F-navi Shield (fig.10) is equipped with a steering mechanism between the rotating cutting wheel and the bulkhead. This allows the machine to be steered precisely, reducing excavation volume and allowing segment placement to progress alongside excavation. Another product, the MSD Shield (fig.11), has a connecting mechanism that allows long undersea tunnels to be excavated wothout the need for an access shaft where the two tunnels from each shore meet. Mechatronics has been involved in auxiliary equipment as well, providing sub-systems for excavation control, segmental ring transportation (fig.12), automated slurry piping connection (fig.13) and other functions. These systems help to reduce the work force needed to complete a tunneling project.
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The Rickysee wale and brace handling machine (fig.14) can be used in tight spaces like shafts for tunneling and building foundations to position the heavy braces that support the cofferdam.
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Bridge construction involves two phases, substructure construction and superstructure construction. The P&Z method (fig.15), a concrete superstructure slipforming method introduced by Polensky and Zollner Co., is applicable for spans under 150m.
The Shimizu Slipforming System (fig.16), originated in 1954, is ideally suited for various types of concrete tower construction, such as piers. Shimizu's Autoscabbler (fig.17) scabbles the concrete surface of bridge piers which are reinforced for road expansion twenty times faster than hand-held machines, without damaging the structure.
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