LINEAR MOTION

BUILDER/PAINTER
The linear motion builder is an innovative brick laying and cement dispensing machine for the construction industry. A fork lift truck
should be able to place pelletized stacks of bricks on conveyor belt and a manual worker should be able to refill the cement bucket.
The linear motion builder can reach heights of up to 30 meters[1] when combined with a scissor lifter.
|First research
Currently, the construction sector is about to know a decisive period: new technologies are introduced rapidly

Paper by Ecole Central de Lille, Zakaria Dakhli and Zoubeir Lafhaj 12 of july 2017
Robotic mechanical design for brick-laying automation
https://www.cogentoa.com/article/10.1080/23311916.2017.1361600.pdf
EC-Lille Papers observations:
Automation could make housing more affordable and liberate workers from heavy labor.

Masonry work is one of the most arduous jobs in construction (Hess, Weinstein, & Welch, 2010;
Vink, Miedema, Koningsveld, & van der Molen, 2002) since it includes a mason standing, kneeling
and lifting. In addition, the mason works almost exclusively outside and undergoes the weather
conditions (rain, wind, heat, humidity...). The mason sometimes works in height scaffolding or in
trenched soils which may put his life in jeopardy. P3

Labor efficiency is low and work quality and control are insufficient which result in a high accident
rate onsite. P1
Industry appropriateness
The linear motion builder can in theory lay stack of bricks for 24 hours minus charging and reloading time.

Bricklaying work follows predefined steps and thus is favorable for automation. P3

Using a SAM robot EC-lille calculated: a site requires 192 working hours using the automated building method
as opposed to 720 h using the traditional masonry method. P19

Since the cost of one kWh of electricity in France (in 2015) is 0.16660, the estimated electricity cost is
1.13288 /h. P18 for a SAM robot
Software for flexible work
The software will need to be developed in such a manner, so that the robot can be sent programmed
code instructions based on digital construction files.

the differences between manufacturing and construction sectors. The gap results in different
characteristics: the manufacturing industry relies on mass production, a reduced variability of
supply, continuous improvement and integration of efficient logistics while construction is a limited
production (few projects a year) and is highly fragmented (Howell, 1999): several actors work on the
same project which make management and tasks definition a subtle process. P2

Their analysis led to the conclusion that installation costs for both robotic and manual placements
are similar, but robotic methods add customization in the possible patterns. Bock, Stricker, Fliedner,
and Huynh (1996) focused on the software part of the brick laying robot design. P4
Existing technologies
SAM100 (Semi-Automated Mason) from Construction Robotics (Podkaminer & Peters, 2015): the robot successfully passed the prototyping
phase and is now commercially available. This robot is by far the most complete masonry robot realized until now. It can lays bricks with
precision and includes the binder in the process of laying as well. SAM100 is capable of laying 8001.200 bricks a day. The robot performs in
a straight line with a limited height capacity. SAM100 costs around 500.000$ (442.030 ).P4

Another well known technology the Hadrian, however its not

yet commercially available, its complex, will probably be
expensive, however seems like a great technology if they can
scale it commercially. P4
 Points for attention
special attention should be paid to avoid using components that are too sensitive to water, dust, or gravels (we
limit the number of actuators and electronic sensors in favor of simple mechanism and springs).P10

Currently, the construction sector is about to know a decisive period: new technologies are introduced rapidly,
however, the understanding of the construction as a global process (not separate phases) should be in line with
the introduction of those technical innovations. P2

Automatic manufacturing technologies are not suitable for construction projects and designs. P3 flexible
software can be an solution.

Low economic attractiveness due to an expensive automated equipment. P3

The issue of soil (and the environment) that changes for each site. P3
 EC-Lille and other developments
grabber
EC Lille developed two metal strips - of few centimeters wide
and about fifty centimeters in length- that support the cinder
block from the two sides. The block accommodation phase is
completed when the block gets o the conveyor and brings the
blocks to the laying head. P11

possibility to develop smaller

indoor brick laying and painting
robots
Project objective
Establish new firm with consortium partners who will manufacture and commercialize the linear motion
builder & painter. The equity of this firm will be distributed within the participating consortium.
activity contribution Investment equity
Coordinator Project manager

Scissor lift supplier Supply custom

scissor lift
Software Software
development
CADPLC

Linear motion Supply custom

supplier linear motion units
Final assembler Assemble linear
motion module,
tubing and scissor
lift
Investment firm Provide seed
funding for the
company