The future of framing
The structural component industry has always operated on the precipice of technological advancements. The manufacturers of roof trusses, floor trusses, wall panels and offsite framing solutions (components) have always sought to leverage cutting-edge technology through computer modeling software, efficient linear cutting solutions and constantly increasing levels of mechanization and automation. In order for component manufacturers (CMs) to maintain their leadership position within the construction industry, I predict they will maintain their first mover competitive advantage as the construction industry continues to innovate and embrace varying trends.
AI-driven humanoid robotics offer the construction sector, specifically the component industry, a tremendous opportunity to drive monumental efficiencies through a variety of bottlenecks that currently impede home builder progress. While several on-site construction tasks can potentially be dispatched to humanoid robotics, environmental impediments and varying operating conditions will slow jobsite adoption. However, CMs operate manufacturing facilities offsite and in a controlled environment where specific tasks and processes can be mapped and replicated time after time regardless of the mass-customized nature of components, allowing for more flexibility in adopting and adapting to various advancements
Two emerging technologies converging in a singular solution offer a unique opportunity to existing CM incumbents. First, imagine an AI-powered manufacturing employee that is integrated with the existing component modeling and design software that produces individual components. This software currently replicates the desired structure in three dimensions (often from 2-D plans via human input) and produces data ranging from lot-specific engineering drawings to incredibly accurate material and labor take-offs for adjacent trades and suppliers. All of the relevant information can seamlessly transfer to the manufacturing employee that has been trained via every previous iteration it has seen.
Secondly, this “employee” is actually a robot capable of running, jumping and most importantly, picking up lumber and swinging a hammer. Updates to the AI’s model training and optimization will drive efficiencies in production and optimization making components an even better solution when framing homes. Initial iterations will likely utilize AI humanoid robots in cobot (collaborative robot) applications alongside human employees. As production of humanoid robots ramp up and costs diminish, I see CMs utilizing teams of these robots to drive their manufacturing capacities as a force multiplier for their existing manufacturing capacities that are most often limited by a lack of manufacturing employees.
While CMs have led the effort to utilize advanced automation and mechanization techniques, it often comes at the cost of divesting or retooling existing manufacturing footprints or creating new from the ground up. This significantly increases the investment required to employ advanced automation in the component industry. Utilizing AI-driven humanoid robotics allows existing CMs in every corner of the country to add to their manufacturing capacities in an incremental manner consistent with increases in demand. Rarely have investment capabilities matched demand in such an incremental manner, which allows CMs to provide solutions as their needs emerge and maintain their competitive advantage.
Components manufactured by AI-driven humanoid robots will not only be manufactured more efficiently, but they will be more accurate, of higher quality and have the ability to drive down the costs of building homes. Components, such as roof trusses, floor trusses, and wall panels, are already the best way to frame a structure due to their time savings, material efficiency, engineering accuracy and superior jobsite waste management. With the additional functionality of the coming AI-driven humanoid robotics, the golden age of framing will soon be upon us.
By Jess Lohse. He is the Executive Director of the Structural Building Components Association (SBCA).
