Construction is a tough industry. It’s not just about building stuff. If you’re in the business of building, it’s also important to make sure that what you build lasts and stays safe for people to use. That means using new technologies like 3D printing or robots to come up with better designs and construction processes because technology can help speed things up while keeping quality high.
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1. Drones
Drones, once mainly used by the military to gather information about enemy locations and to deliver missiles, are now being adapted for civilian use. Businesses are now using the same tech for aerial surveillance of construction sites.
Construction companies can utilize these unmanned aircraft to monitor progress by taking pictures and videos from hundreds of feet in the air. Footage can then be used to identify where workers should focus their efforts.
2. 3D Laser Scanning
3D laser scanning has been around for decades, but recent innovations have made this technology more accessible to non-industrial users. These technologies allow 3D scanning companies to gather accurate data through the use of lasers and computer programs.
Construction companies can use drones equipped with 3D scanners to quickly measure large areas of land, buildings, and equipment. This technology may be used to aid in the assembly of machinery and components, such as generators and electrical panels.
3D laser scanners can create three-dimensional drawings of objects that may be used for blueprints or supplied to machines that then read the data and re-create a model of what was scanned.
3. Augmented Reality
Augmented reality is another technology with many applications for construction. Augmented reality is the integration of digital information with the user’s environment in real-time.
Currently, augmented reality is being used to create eye-catching advertisements superimposed on physical objects. Construction companies can use this type of AR technology by utilizing mobile devices to show clients how a proposed project will look when completed. Clients can then share their feedback with the company, allowing them to make necessary changes before construction begins.
4. Rapid Prototyping
Rapid prototyping is a process that creates a physical model of an object through various techniques, such as 3D printing or computer numerical control (CNC) machining.
For example, molds are often created by CNC machining. Depending on the material, this process can be completed in a matter of hours rather than weeks, minimizing lead time and allowing companies to adjust their plans more quickly.
Rapid prototyping is not only faster than traditional techniques but also makes it possible for less-skilled workers to construct molds since they do not require highly specialized knowledge or equipment.
3D printing is another way to quickly create prototypes of structures before they are built, allowing workers to determine where any problems might arise. As this technology continues to improve, it will be more accessible and less expensive for construction companies, making it commonplace in the industry. Some experts predict that 3D printers will eventually be used on construction sites to create components as they are needed.
5. Robots
In recent years, robots have been programmed with the ability to do dangerous and repetitive tasks, freeing humans from dangerous work environments and increasing productivity.
Intelligent robotic bricklaying machines can lay up to 1,000 bricks an hour with precision accuracy, which is a task that would normally take a small crew an entire day to complete.
6. Prefabricated Materials
Prefabricated materials are used to build structures more quickly and efficiently than traditional methods of building, such as casting concrete on-site or using wood framework for walls and floors.
Buildings constructed using prefabricated components can also be assembled more quickly. Some prefabricated materials are fitted with wiring, plumbing and insulation before they are shipped to the site, allowing construction companies to reduce additional costs associated with installing utilities after the building is constructed.
7. Wireless Sensors
Wireless sensors can transmit information about an object’s condition without any physical connection between the sensor and the item being monitored.
For example, wireless sensors are being used to monitor elevators, escalators, and moving walkways at airports so that maintenance crews are notified the moment there is a problem. As this technology continues to develop, it will be expanded for use in construction projects as well.
The use of new technologies in the construction and real estate industries is becoming more prevalent as developers seek to speed up the design process, create more aesthetically pleasing structures and increase reliability. As these trends continue, it’s likely that additive manufacturing, virtual reality, and other innovative technologies will become a standard part of many projects in the future.