US20080086976A1 - Housing manufacturing system and method - Google Patents
Housing manufacturing system and method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080086976A1 US20080086976A1 US11/675,938 US67593807A US2008086976A1 US 20080086976 A1 US20080086976 A1 US 20080086976A1 US 67593807 A US67593807 A US 67593807A US 2008086976 A1 US2008086976 A1 US 2008086976A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- sub
- station
- planar sections
- homes
- assembly
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 35
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title description 10
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 claims description 18
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000009432 framing Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000009969 flowable effect Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 description 53
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000003292 glue Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000002994 raw material Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000009428 plumbing Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000004566 building material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009408 flooring Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000009423 ventilation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 240000006064 Urena lobata Species 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000000151 deposition Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002421 finishing Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003032 molecular docking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010422 painting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011120 plywood Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000019640 taste Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
- E04B1/35—Extraordinary methods of construction, e.g. lift-slab, jack-block
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
- E04B1/35—Extraordinary methods of construction, e.g. lift-slab, jack-block
- E04B2001/3577—Extraordinary methods of construction, e.g. lift-slab, jack-block prefabricating a building and moving it as a whole to the erection site
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to construction and in particular a housing manufacturing system and method.
- Housing is a critical aspect of social living. The construction of houses and other dwellings is therefore a well-known and highly refined art. Construction techniques and esthetic styles are well known for single family dwellings, detached and semi-detached houses, condominiums, apartment buildings, town houses, and the like.
- Automation is also broad reaching and used heavily in a broad range of industries and is used to build cars, trucks, planes, electronics, appliances and many other products. Automation techniques are increasingly being applied to the housing industry, and indeed are used heavily in the manufacture of modular and panelized homes. Modular and panelized homes are well suited to automation due the fact that each unit is substantially identical and therefore an automated assembly facility can be designed to build each unit in substantially the same way using substantially the same components for each unit.
- the uniqueness and size of each conventionally site-built homes is anathema to prior art automation techniques.
- the uniqueness of each home makes it difficult to manage and store stock.
- the size of each home makes it difficult to transport the home from the manufacturing facility to the site of the dwelling.
- a system for manufacturing homes includes a sub-assembly plant for assembling planar sections of a home, such as walls or floors, according to production schedule for custom homes.
- the system also includes at least one final assembly facility located proximal to a subdivision where a plurality of the custom homes are to be situated.
- the final assembly facility is for receiving the planar sections from the sub-assembly plant and for constructing the homes from planar portions according to the production schedule.
- Each home in the production schedule can be different.
- the sub-assembly plant of the system can include an assembly line for producing at least a portion of the planar sections.
- the sub-assembly plant of the system can include at least one of a framing station, a drywall application station, a mechanical services station, an insulation station and a covering station.
- the insulation station can comprise an injector and a flowable closed cell foam dispenser for injecting the foam into a cavity defined by a frame and a drywall covering of the frame.
- the planar sections can comprise wall sections that are provided with a plurality of removable hangers.
- the system can include a truck for transporting the wall sections includes an overhead rail for receiving the hangers.
- the truck can include a plurality of floor rails, one floor rail corresponding to each overhead rail.
- the floor rails are complementary to a skate, and a plurality of skates can be used to move each wall section.
- the final assembly facility of the system can include at least one area for building a roof for each the home and an overhead crane for placing the roof on a respective home according to the production schedule.
- Another aspect of the invention provides a truck for transporting planar sections of houses including a plurality of substantially parallel overhead rails for receiving hangers disposed within the sections.
- the truck can include a plurality of floor rails, with one floor rail corresponding to each overhead rail.
- the floor rails of the truck are complementary to skates, and a plurality of skates can be used to move each planar section.
- Another aspect of the invention provides a sub-assembly plant for assembling planar sections of a home according to a production schedule for custom homes, the sub-assembly plant for providing the planar sections to at least one final assembly facility located proximal to a subdivision where a plurality of the custom homes are to be situated.
- the facility is for receiving the planar sections from the sub-assembly plant and for constructing the homes from the planar sections according to the production schedule.
- the sub-assembly plant comprises an assembly line for producing at least a portion of the planar sections.
- the sub-assembly plant can further comprise at least one of a framing station, a drywall application station, a mechanical services station, an insulation station and a covering station.
- the insulation station can comprise an injector and a flowable closed cell foam dispenser for injecting the foam into a cavity defined by a frame and a drywall covering of the frame.
- Another aspect of the invention provides a final assembly facility for receiving and assembling planar sections of a home according to a production schedule for custom homes.
- the planar sections received from a sub-assembly plant that assembles the planar sections.
- the final assembly facility can be located proximal to a subdivision where a plurality of the custom homes are to be situated.
- the final assembly facility is for constructing the homes from the planar sections according to the production schedule.
- the final assembly facility can be movable.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a home manufacturing system and method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the sub-assembly plant within FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is representation of certain stations in the sub-assembly plant of FIG. 2 that are for framing wall sections of a house;
- FIG. 4 is a representation of certain stations in the sub-assembly plant of FIG. 2 that are for applying drywall to the frame;
- FIG. 5 is a representation of a transfer section in the sub-assembly plant of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 6 is a representation of a station in the sub-assembly plant of FIG. 2 that is for installing building mechanical into the frame;
- FIG. 7 is a representation of a station in the sub-assembly plant of FIG. 2 which is for injecting insulation into cavities of a frame of a wall;
- FIG. 8 is a representation of a station in the sub-assembly plant of FIG. 2 for applying a coating, such as drywall, to the frame;
- FIG. 9 is a representation of certain stations in the sub-assembly plant of FIG. 2 that is for affixing the coating to the frame and for revealing cutaways;
- FIG. 10 is a representation of a transfer station in the sub-assembly plant of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 11 is a representation of a staging area of the sub-assembly plant of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 12 shows part of a hanging system for hanging wall sections made using the sub-assembly plant of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 13 is an isometric view that show the hanging system of FIG. 12 in greater detail
- FIG. 14 is a partial sectional view that shows the hanging system of FIG. 12 in greater detail
- FIG. 15 is an isometric view showing how the hanging system of FIG. 12 can be used to store and transport wall sections made using the sub-assembly plant of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 16 is an isometric view of an exemplary final assembly facility from the system of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 17 is a top planar view of the final assembly facility of FIG. 16 ;
- FIG. 18 shows an exemplary mechanism for transferring a house built using the system of FIG. 1 onto a foundation
- FIG. 19 shows how the mechanism of FIG. 18 can be removed once the house in FIG. 18 is in position on the foundation
- FIG. 20 shows a perspective view of a skate and a rail for use in moving wall sections in accordance with another embodiment
- FIG. 21 shows a front view of the skate of FIG. 20 ;
- FIG. 22 shows a side view of the skate of FIG. 20 ;
- FIG. 23 shows how the skate and rail system can be used to store and transport wall sections
- FIG. 24 shows a modified version of the final assembly facility of FIG. 17 in accordance with another embodiment
- System 50 comprises a sub-assembly plant 54 and a plurality of final assembly facilities 58 - 1 , 58 - 2 , 58 - 3 .
- facilities 58 Collectively referred to as facilities 58 , and generically as facility 58 . This nomenclature is used elsewhere herein.).
- Sub-assembly plant 54 receives raw building materials 74 via truck 82 and produces fully assembled wall sections 78 of each house 70 which are shipped from plant 54 via truck 83 . Also produced in sub-assembly plant 54 are floor portions 80 which are also shipped via truck 83 .
- Each final assembly facility 58 is located proximal to a subdivision 62 or tract of land consisting of a plurality of adjacent lots 66 where houses 70 manufactured according to system 50 will be located. Lots 66 appear as squares in FIG. 1 , while each house 70 appears as an “X” within a square in FIG. 1 .
- Sub-assembly plant 54 is typically a permanent structure having a location that is chosen in a manner so as to consider efficient access to raw building materials 74 while also considering efficient access to the plurality of subdivisions 62 .
- Other factors influencing the location of plant 54 include more traditional considerations including labour, electricity, gas, and water. As an example, and assuming the other factors are not a significant consideration, then plant 54 can (though need not be) located so as to be substantially equidistant from all subdivisions 62 while still being accessible to raw building materials 74 .
- each final assembly facility 58 is typically a temporary facility that is used for assembling wall sections 78 and floor sections 80 and the roof into the house structure. Each facility 58 is also used to complete final finishes on each house 70 before depositing the finally assembled house 70 onto the foundation of its intended lot 66 .
- sub-assembly plant 54 may at any given time serve different sets of final assembly facilities 58 . For example, as different subdivisions 62 are filled with houses 70 , then the final assembly facility 58 associated with that subdivision 62 will be dismantled, while another final assembly facility 58 is situated near a new, empty subdivision 62 .
- sub-assembly plant 54 need not be supplying each subdivision 62 at the same time, and thus, the location of sub-assembly plant 54 can be chosen to be proximal to each subdivision 62 considering that not all subdivisions are being built at a given time.
- Raw materials 74 are received at plant 54 via raw-material truck 82 (or other transport) and placed into a staging area 86 .
- Raw materials include all of the basic building components for creating wall sections 78 and floor sections 80 .
- Such raw materials thus include the materials for framing a house, including wood or metal studs, as well as drywall, windows, insulation, and building mechanical.
- building mechanical includes all electrical, plumbing, heating ventilation and cooling (HVAC) ducts, central vacuum, telephone, cable, Ethernet, including outlets and junctions therefor, and any other components which are typically run within the interior or exterior walls or floors of a house.
- HVAC heating ventilation and cooling
- Plant 54 also includes a wall assembly line 88 that can be automated with robotic equipment or manually implemented and/or a combination of both.
- wall assembly line 88 includes a plurality of stations labeled as 90 - 1 , 90 - 2 , 90 - 3 , 90 - 4 , 90 - 5 , 90 - 6 and 90 - 7 .
- Each station 90 progressively builds one entire wall section for each house 70 .
- stations 90 - 1 and 90 - 2 are shown in greater detail, as raw material 74 in the form of studs 94 are constructed into a frame 98 .
- Stations 90 - 1 and 90 - 2 are preferably fully automated, such that studs 94 are automatically loaded into machinery and assembled into frame 98 , and attached to each other, using robotics and other automation equipment.
- such automation equipment is also computer numerically controlled, so that the dimensions of frame 98 and the location of window and door frames are automatically supplied to the robotics.
- computer scheduling software can be used to substantially automate the scheduling aspect of the production of each frame 98 according to supplies of raw material 74 and/or the demands for particular types of wall sections for a given house 70 at a given subdivision 62 .
- station 90 - 3 is shown in greater detail as a first layer of drywall (or other type of covering) is automatically applied to frame 98 .
- Glue 102 is applied to frame 98 via a robotic glue gun 106 .
- Sheets of drywall 110 are automatically placed into position via a vacuum assist arm 114 .
- An automatic staple gun 118 mechanically fastens drywall 110 to frame 98 .
- a robotic cutter 122 removes portions of drywall 110 to expose doors 126 and windows 130 within frame 98 .
- frame 98 is shown existing station 90 - 3 at which point it is turned over and deposited into station 90 - 4 exposing the backside of frame 98 .
- frame 98 is turned over in an automated fashion in keeping with the automation of assembly line 88 .
- FIG. 6 a cutaway of frame 98 is shown.
- mechanical components are run through each frame 98 .
- such mechanical components include all electrical, plumbing, heating ventilation and cooling (HVAC) ducts, central vacuum, telephone, cable, Ethernet, including outlets and junctions therefor, and any other components which are typically run within the interior or exterior walls or floors of a house.
- representative mechanical components include an electrical outlet 134 and electrical conduit 138 .
- Mechanical components in a present embodiment, are typically installed manually by semi-skilled labour. When house 70 is fully assembled, the integrity of these mechanical components can be tested by skilled trades (i.e. licensed electricians for electrical components; licensed plumbers for plumbing).
- frame 98 is advanced from station 90 - 4 to station 90 - 5 .
- Station 90 - 5 is represented in FIG. 7 .
- foam insulation 146 is injected in a flowable form into cavities 142 defined by drywall 110 and studs 94 of frame 98 .
- Foam insulation 146 will cure within each cavity 142 .
- a presently preferred foam insulation is a closed cell foam that is commonly used to insulate buildings and homes and is often sold in preformed sheets.
- an overhead X-Y gantry 150 which includes an injector 154 that dispenses foam 146 into each cavity 142 according to a predefined depth and pattern. Gantry 150 and injector 154 are likewise computer controlled.
- insulation 146 can be applied in any wall portion of a house 70 , typically insulation 146 is only applied to the exterior walls of any given house 70 . However, it can be desired to apply insulation 146 to interior walls where sound proofing is desired, such as between bathroom walls or bedroom walls. Thus, where no insulation 146 is needed for a given frame 98 , gantry 150 can remain dormant for that particular frame 98 .
- Station 90 - 5 also includes a second glue gun 158 that that applies a second layer of glue 102 .
- Glue gun 158 operates in substantially the same manner as glue gun 106 .
- frame 98 is advanced from station 90 - 5 to station 90 - 6 .
- Station 90 - 6 is represented in FIG. 8 .
- a covering 162 is applied to the exposed side of frame 98 .
- a vacuum assist arm 166 much like arm 114 , can be used to place covering 162 onto frame 98 in station 90 - 6 .
- frame 98 is for an external wall
- covering 162 can be a sheathing, such as plywood, oriented strand board, code board or the like.
- frame 98 is for an internal wall, then covering 162 will typically be the same as drywall 110 .
- covering 162 (and/or drywall) can in fact be any type of covering for frame 98 to present a visible surface for an interior or exterior wall.
- FIG. 9 it is assumed that covering 162 is drywall, and accordingly, a staple gun 166 , much like staple gun 118 , is used to apply staples along covering 162 along studs 94 .
- a robotic cutter 170 much like cutter 122 , to expose doors and windows and the like.
- sub-assembly plant 54 also includes a staging area 174 where completed Wall sections 78 are vertically stacked and queued for eventual transport via trucks 83 to its respective final assembly facility 58 .
- Staging area 174 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 11 .
- further work can be done on each section 78 , such as adding windows 178 .
- assembly line 88 is highly configurable so that each wall planar section 78 that is produced can be very unique in terms of dimensions, locations of doors and windows, type and location of building mechanical, type of external coverings.
- sub-assembly plant 54 be configured to schedule production runs of specific wall sections 7 accordingly.
- production runs on assembly line 88 can be scheduled so as to fill trucks 83 according to the particular final assembly facility 58 to which such trucks 83 are destined.
- FIGS. 12-15 a novel and inventive set of removable hangers 182 are employed in order to suspend wall sections 78 during transportation in trucks 83 .
- a series of hangers 182 are mounted to the top of each wall section 78 .
- An appropriate number of hangers 182 are employed in order to securely support the weight of each wall section 78 .
- each hanger 182 comprises a threaded eye bolt 186 that can be screwed into (or removed from) a complementary nut portion 190 .
- Nut portion 190 has a flange portion 194 and a female-threaded portion 198 which receive the threads on bolt 186 .
- Flange portion 194 abuts the under-side of stud 94 , while female-threaded portion 198 is received within a hole that passes through stud 94 .
- Flange portion 194 thus supports the localized weight of each stud 94 .
- the height of female-threaded portion 198 is chosen to substantially match the depth of stud 198 , or is at least less than the depth of stud 198 , so as to not protrude from the top of stud 94 and thereby alter the dimensions of frame 98 .
- hangers 182 thus can be slid into a channelized overhead rail 202 within staging area 174 that align with a channelized overhead rail 206 within truck 83 .
- Rails 202 and 206 capture the eye portion of eyebolt 186 so that rails 202 and 206 can support the weight, and allow the storage of wall sections 78 .
- a plurality of rails 206 can be disposed in parallel and/or series within each truck 83 so that a plurality of wall sections 78 can be carried simultaneously by truck 83 .
- sub-assembly plant 54 also includes a flooring area 210 where sections of floor 80 are manufactured.
- Floor 80 can be manufactured using an assembly line like assembly line 88 , or manually, as desired. However manufactured, each floor 80 constitutes all or part of a floor for each house 70 . Again, each floor 80 is made according to the custom design of each house 70 . Where a house 70 has multiple stories, then flooring area 210 can be used to make floors for each story.
- Each floor 80 is likewise shipped via truck 83 to a destination assembly facility 58 .
- final assembly facility 58 is made from a temporary structure, which in a present embodiment is a flexible material 214 held by a temporary frame made of aluminum tubing, not shown.
- a presently preferred flexible material 214 is the same material used to build a so-called “tennis bubble”.
- Facility 58 also includes a pair of rails 218 that run the length of facility 58 .
- Each house 70 is built upon a pair of beams 222 that run along the length of rails 218 .
- a roof 226 for each house 70 is built at a first, beginning end of rails 218 .
- Roof 226 is built from trusses 230 received via an inbound loading dock 234 which receives trucks 83 .
- Wall sections 78 and floors 80 received via dock 234 are assembled in order to build the exterior and interior shell of the first house 70 - 1 on rails 218 . During such assembly mechanical components between each wall section 78 and floor 80 are connected. Once shell of house 70 - 1 is complete, an overhead crane or gantry is used to place roof 226 onto house 70 - 1 .
- Assembly facility 58 includes a plurality of stations, responsible for various stages of completion of each house.
- Facility 58 in FIGS. 16 and 17 is shown with eight houses, 70 - 1 , 70 - 2 . . . 70 - 8 , each at various stages of completion.
- Inventory 238 for each station is kept adjacent to each station.
- Each station is used to progressively finish each house 70 .
- finishings include, for example: stairs, railings, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, painting, doors, windows. Again, all steps taken at each station can be completely customized according to the order of the purchaser of the house 70 .
- Transporter 246 has a flatbed which sits above a front and rear cab, both of which having controls for steering the transporter 246 .
- Transporter 246 is also steerable via remote control, so that the operator can be outside of transporter 246 and maneuver transporter 246 while having full view of all angles of transporter 246 .
- Transporter 246 also has steerable front and rear axles in order to be able to tightly maneuver the house 70 to its final lot 250 .
- the flatbed of transporter 246 is below-grade to facility 58 , so that rails 218 are on the same level as the flatbed of transporter 246 .
- house 70 - 8 is then carried by transporter 246 to the final lot 250 within subdivision 62 where house 70 - 8 is to be placed.
- the flatbed of transporter 246 (not shown in FIG. 18 ) comprises a pair of slider-rails 254 which support beams 222 of house 70 - 8 .
- House 70 - 8 is slid off of slider-rails 254 and onto a pre-poured foundation 258 on lot 250 .
- Foundation 258 includes a plurality of tapered sockets 262 which are positioned to receive the distal ends of beams 222 in a complementary manner.
- each beam 222 can be removed by unfastening and removing a joining-plate 266 , which separates each beam 222 into halves and allows removal of each beam 222 from the basement of house 70 - 8 . While FIG. 19 shows two halves, it should be understood that each beam 222 can have a plurality of sections connected with a plurality of removable joining-plates.
- FIGS. 20 , 21 and 22 depict a skate 300 a which can be used to maneuver wall sections 78 .
- Skate 300 a comprises an inverted-U shaped body 304 a and a plurality of wheels 308 a mounted to the extremities of each arm 310 a of body 304 a .
- Wheels 308 a are rotable within each arm 310 a so that skate 300 a can be rolled along a surface, such as the floor of sub-assembly plant 54 .
- a rail 320 a complementary to the inverted-U shape of body 304 a can be mounted along a surface, such as the floor of sub-assembly plant 54 .
- Skate 300 a can be rolled over rail 320 a , so that rail 320 a will guide the path of movement skate 300 a.
- Truck 83 a includes a plurality of rails 320 a mounted along the floor thereof.
- overhead rail 202 of sub-assembly plant 54 is omitted, and skates 300 a are used to move wall sections 78 throughout sub-assembly plant 54 .
- skates 300 a can be used.
- Wall sections 78 rest on the surface of skates 300 a and can be slid into truck 83 a by aligning hanger 182 with overhead rail 206 within truck 83 a , and correspondingly sliding skate 300 a over the rail 320 a that corresponds with its matching overhead rail 206 .
- hanger 182 is simply for guiding and maintaining wall section 78 vertical in truck 83 a , and the weight of wall section 78 is supported by skate 300 a.
- FIG. 24 shows a modified layout of assembly plant 50 and labeled as plant 50 a .
- Plant 50 a is an entirely metal structure, but preferably, panelized in a manner that plant 50 a can still be disassembled from one location and reassembled at another.
- Plant 50 a differs from plant 50 also in the fact that plant 50 a is T-shaped.
- the wider section of plant 50 a can be used as a staging area for trusses 230 , wall sections 78 and floor sections 80 .
- the wider section of plant 50 a permits multiple areas in which to assemble roves 226 , with at least two such areas being shown in FIG. 24 .
- Also shown in FIG. 24 are multiple loading docks each with a truck adjacent thereto for supplying inventory to plant 50 a.
- the present invention thus provides, amongst other things, a novel system and method for manufacturing homes by providing a sub-assembly plant for producing walls and floors and one or more final assembly facilities for assembling full homes from those walls and floors and other inventory.
Abstract
A system for manufacturing homes is provided. An embodiment includes a sub-assembly plant for assembling planar sections of a home according to production schedule for custom homes. The embodiment also includes at least one final assembly facility located proximal to a subdivision where a plurality of the custom homes are to be situated. The final assembly facility is for receiving the planar sections from the sub-assembly plant and for constructing the homes from planar portions according to the production schedule.
Description
- Applicants claim priority of Canadian Application, Ser. No. 2,563,187, filed Oct. 11, 2006.
- The present invention relates generally to construction and in particular a housing manufacturing system and method.
- Housing is a critical aspect of social living. The construction of houses and other dwellings is therefore a well-known and highly refined art. Construction techniques and esthetic styles are well known for single family dwellings, detached and semi-detached houses, condominiums, apartment buildings, town houses, and the like.
- Automation is also broad reaching and used heavily in a broad range of industries and is used to build cars, trucks, planes, electronics, appliances and many other products. Automation techniques are increasingly being applied to the housing industry, and indeed are used heavily in the manufacture of modular and panelized homes. Modular and panelized homes are well suited to automation due the fact that each unit is substantially identical and therefore an automated assembly facility can be designed to build each unit in substantially the same way using substantially the same components for each unit.
- Far more vexing, however, has been the application of automation techniques to conventionally site-built homes. Conventionally site-built homes are typically built on the final construction site. They are often favoured over modular and panelized homes as they can be uniquely designed, both on the exterior and interior, to reflect the individual tastes of the homeowner. Many agree that a community of conventionally site-built homes is also far more aesthetically pleasing than a monotonous matrix of identical modular or panelized homes.
- The uniqueness and size of each conventionally site-built homes is anathema to prior art automation techniques. The uniqueness of each home makes it difficult to manage and store stock. The size of each home makes it difficult to transport the home from the manufacturing facility to the site of the dwelling.
- The prior art reveals several attempts to automate the construction of conventionally site-built homes. In 1978, U.S. Pat. No. 4,110,952 to Blachura, proposed a technique for constructing individual houses in a factory and delivering them to prepared foundations on a large tract of land. The issue of size was addressed by locating the factory near the final tract of land where the house would be situated, thereby minimizing the traveling distance from the factory to the final site of the dwelling. More recently, U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,504 to Cohen et al. proposed a movable manufacturing facility The movable manufacturing facility of Cohen intended bring standard size home building comprehensively within a controlled factory environment. Cohen disclosed that the main structure of the movable manufacturing facility was sufficiently tall to allow assembly and movement of standard size homes within. Cohen proposed multiple independent production lines to each produce portions of the dwelling in the form of subassemblies.
- Unfortunately, the prior art has not proposed a practically feasible automation method for conventionally site-built homes. Since the facilities must be located close to the site for each house, the prior art facilities cannot produce enough homes to justify the capital investment required for the associated facility.
- In an aspect of the invention a system for manufacturing homes is provided. The system includes a sub-assembly plant for assembling planar sections of a home, such as walls or floors, according to production schedule for custom homes. The system also includes at least one final assembly facility located proximal to a subdivision where a plurality of the custom homes are to be situated. The final assembly facility is for receiving the planar sections from the sub-assembly plant and for constructing the homes from planar portions according to the production schedule. Each home in the production schedule can be different.
- The sub-assembly plant of the system can include an assembly line for producing at least a portion of the planar sections.
- The sub-assembly plant of the system can include at least one of a framing station, a drywall application station, a mechanical services station, an insulation station and a covering station. The insulation station can comprise an injector and a flowable closed cell foam dispenser for injecting the foam into a cavity defined by a frame and a drywall covering of the frame.
- The planar sections can comprise wall sections that are provided with a plurality of removable hangers.
- The system can include a truck for transporting the wall sections includes an overhead rail for receiving the hangers. The truck can include a plurality of floor rails, one floor rail corresponding to each overhead rail. The floor rails are complementary to a skate, and a plurality of skates can be used to move each wall section.
- The final assembly facility of the system can include at least one area for building a roof for each the home and an overhead crane for placing the roof on a respective home according to the production schedule.
- Another aspect of the invention provides a truck for transporting planar sections of houses including a plurality of substantially parallel overhead rails for receiving hangers disposed within the sections.
- The truck can include a plurality of floor rails, with one floor rail corresponding to each overhead rail. The floor rails of the truck are complementary to skates, and a plurality of skates can be used to move each planar section.
- Another aspect of the invention provides a sub-assembly plant for assembling planar sections of a home according to a production schedule for custom homes, the sub-assembly plant for providing the planar sections to at least one final assembly facility located proximal to a subdivision where a plurality of the custom homes are to be situated. The facility is for receiving the planar sections from the sub-assembly plant and for constructing the homes from the planar sections according to the production schedule. The sub-assembly plant comprises an assembly line for producing at least a portion of the planar sections.
- The sub-assembly plant can further comprise at least one of a framing station, a drywall application station, a mechanical services station, an insulation station and a covering station. The insulation station can comprise an injector and a flowable closed cell foam dispenser for injecting the foam into a cavity defined by a frame and a drywall covering of the frame.
- Another aspect of the invention provides a final assembly facility for receiving and assembling planar sections of a home according to a production schedule for custom homes. The planar sections received from a sub-assembly plant that assembles the planar sections. The final assembly facility can be located proximal to a subdivision where a plurality of the custom homes are to be situated. The final assembly facility is for constructing the homes from the planar sections according to the production schedule. The final assembly facility can be movable.
- The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to certain embodiments and the attached Figures in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a home manufacturing system and method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the sub-assembly plant withinFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is representation of certain stations in the sub-assembly plant ofFIG. 2 that are for framing wall sections of a house; -
FIG. 4 is a representation of certain stations in the sub-assembly plant ofFIG. 2 that are for applying drywall to the frame; -
FIG. 5 is a representation of a transfer section in the sub-assembly plant ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 6 is a representation of a station in the sub-assembly plant ofFIG. 2 that is for installing building mechanical into the frame; -
FIG. 7 is a representation of a station in the sub-assembly plant ofFIG. 2 which is for injecting insulation into cavities of a frame of a wall; -
FIG. 8 is a representation of a station in the sub-assembly plant ofFIG. 2 for applying a coating, such as drywall, to the frame; -
FIG. 9 is a representation of certain stations in the sub-assembly plant ofFIG. 2 that is for affixing the coating to the frame and for revealing cutaways; -
FIG. 10 is a representation of a transfer station in the sub-assembly plant of FIG. 2; -
FIG. 11 is a representation of a staging area of the sub-assembly plant ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 12 shows part of a hanging system for hanging wall sections made using the sub-assembly plant ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 13 is an isometric view that show the hanging system ofFIG. 12 in greater detail; -
FIG. 14 is a partial sectional view that shows the hanging system ofFIG. 12 in greater detail; -
FIG. 15 is an isometric view showing how the hanging system ofFIG. 12 can be used to store and transport wall sections made using the sub-assembly plant ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 16 is an isometric view of an exemplary final assembly facility from the system ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 17 is a top planar view of the final assembly facility ofFIG. 16 ; -
FIG. 18 shows an exemplary mechanism for transferring a house built using the system ofFIG. 1 onto a foundation; -
FIG. 19 shows how the mechanism ofFIG. 18 can be removed once the house inFIG. 18 is in position on the foundation; -
FIG. 20 shows a perspective view of a skate and a rail for use in moving wall sections in accordance with another embodiment; -
FIG. 21 shows a front view of the skate ofFIG. 20 ; -
FIG. 22 shows a side view of the skate ofFIG. 20 ; -
FIG. 23 shows how the skate and rail system can be used to store and transport wall sections; and, -
FIG. 24 shows a modified version of the final assembly facility ofFIG. 17 in accordance with another embodiment, - Referring now to
FIG. 1 , a home manufacturing system is indicated generally at 50.System 50 comprises asub-assembly plant 54 and a plurality of final assembly facilities 58-1, 58-2, 58-3. (Collectively referred to as facilities 58, and generically as facility 58. This nomenclature is used elsewhere herein.). -
Sub-assembly plant 54 receivesraw building materials 74 viatruck 82 and produces fully assembledwall sections 78 of eachhouse 70 which are shipped fromplant 54 viatruck 83. Also produced insub-assembly plant 54 arefloor portions 80 which are also shipped viatruck 83. - Each final assembly facility 58 is located proximal to a
subdivision 62 or tract of land consisting of a plurality ofadjacent lots 66 wherehouses 70 manufactured according tosystem 50 will be located.Lots 66 appear as squares inFIG. 1 , while eachhouse 70 appears as an “X” within a square inFIG. 1 . -
Sub-assembly plant 54 is typically a permanent structure having a location that is chosen in a manner so as to consider efficient access toraw building materials 74 while also considering efficient access to the plurality ofsubdivisions 62. Other factors influencing the location ofplant 54 include more traditional considerations including labour, electricity, gas, and water. As an example, and assuming the other factors are not a significant consideration, then plant 54 can (though need not be) located so as to be substantially equidistant from allsubdivisions 62 while still being accessible toraw building materials 74. - In contrast to
sub-assembly plant 54, each final assembly facility 58 is typically a temporary facility that is used for assemblingwall sections 78 andfloor sections 80 and the roof into the house structure. Each facility 58 is also used to complete final finishes on eachhouse 70 before depositing the finally assembledhouse 70 onto the foundation of its intendedlot 66. Thus, it is contemplated thatsub-assembly plant 54 may at any given time serve different sets of final assembly facilities 58. For example, asdifferent subdivisions 62 are filled withhouses 70, then the final assembly facility 58 associated with thatsubdivision 62 will be dismantled, while another final assembly facility 58 is situated near a new,empty subdivision 62. Put in other words,sub-assembly plant 54 need not be supplying eachsubdivision 62 at the same time, and thus, the location ofsub-assembly plant 54 can be chosen to be proximal to eachsubdivision 62 considering that not all subdivisions are being built at a given time. - Referring now to
FIG. 2 ,sub-assembly plant 54 is shown in greater detail.Raw materials 74 are received atplant 54 via raw-material truck 82 (or other transport) and placed into astaging area 86. Raw materials include all of the basic building components for creatingwall sections 78 andfloor sections 80. Such raw materials thus include the materials for framing a house, including wood or metal studs, as well as drywall, windows, insulation, and building mechanical. (As used herein, building mechanical includes all electrical, plumbing, heating ventilation and cooling (HVAC) ducts, central vacuum, telephone, cable, Ethernet, including outlets and junctions therefor, and any other components which are typically run within the interior or exterior walls or floors of a house.) -
Plant 54 also includes awall assembly line 88 that can be automated with robotic equipment or manually implemented and/or a combination of both. In a present embodiment,wall assembly line 88 includes a plurality of stations labeled as 90-1, 90-2, 90-3, 90-4, 90-5, 90-6 and 90-7. Each station 90 progressively builds one entire wall section for eachhouse 70. - Referring now to
FIG. 3 , stations 90-1 and 90-2 are shown in greater detail, asraw material 74 in the form ofstuds 94 are constructed into aframe 98. Stations 90-1 and 90-2 are preferably fully automated, such thatstuds 94 are automatically loaded into machinery and assembled intoframe 98, and attached to each other, using robotics and other automation equipment. Preferably, such automation equipment is also computer numerically controlled, so that the dimensions offrame 98 and the location of window and door frames are automatically supplied to the robotics. In this manner, it is intended that computer scheduling software can be used to substantially automate the scheduling aspect of the production of eachframe 98 according to supplies ofraw material 74 and/or the demands for particular types of wall sections for a givenhouse 70 at a givensubdivision 62. - The remaining stations 90 in
line 88 are likewise configured to substantially complete an entire wall for aparticular house 70. InFIG. 4 , station 90-3 is shown in greater detail as a first layer of drywall (or other type of covering) is automatically applied toframe 98.Glue 102 is applied to frame 98 via arobotic glue gun 106. Sheets ofdrywall 110 are automatically placed into position via avacuum assist arm 114. (Vacuum assistarm 114 can be manually operated, or automatically operated via a robot). Anautomatic staple gun 118 mechanically fastensdrywall 110 to frame 98. Arobotic cutter 122 removes portions ofdrywall 110 to exposedoors 126 andwindows 130 withinframe 98. - In
FIG. 5 ,frame 98 is shown existing station 90-3 at which point it is turned over and deposited into station 90-4 exposing the backside offrame 98. Preferably,frame 98 is turned over in an automated fashion in keeping with the automation ofassembly line 88. - In
FIG. 6 , a cutaway offrame 98 is shown. InFIG. 6 , representing station 90-4, mechanical components are run through eachframe 98. (As mentioned previously, such mechanical components include all electrical, plumbing, heating ventilation and cooling (HVAC) ducts, central vacuum, telephone, cable, Ethernet, including outlets and junctions therefor, and any other components which are typically run within the interior or exterior walls or floors of a house.) InFIG. 6 , representative mechanical components include anelectrical outlet 134 andelectrical conduit 138. Mechanical components, in a present embodiment, are typically installed manually by semi-skilled labour. Whenhouse 70 is fully assembled, the integrity of these mechanical components can be tested by skilled trades (i.e. licensed electricians for electrical components; licensed plumbers for plumbing). The exact locations, and types of mechanical components installed withinframe 98 would again be done according to building design and specifications for a givenhouse 70. The choices of mechanical materials can be traditional components used when building a house on-site in the traditional fashion, however, the mechanical materials can also be chosen to complement the environment ofassembly line 88. Also, of note, the mechanical materials would be chosen to have relatively simple connections or junctions as the periphery of eachframe 98, to facilitate connection to corresponding mechanical components inadjacent Wall sections 78. Such locations and types would be presented automatically via a computer screen to the individuals conducting the installations at station 90-4. - Once the mechanical components are installed in
frame 98,frame 98 is advanced from station 90-4 to station 90-5. Station 90-5 is represented inFIG. 7 . In station 90-5,foam insulation 146 is injected in a flowable form intocavities 142 defined bydrywall 110 andstuds 94 offrame 98.Foam insulation 146 will cure within eachcavity 142. A presently preferred foam insulation is a closed cell foam that is commonly used to insulate buildings and homes and is often sold in preformed sheets. In a present embodiment, anoverhead X-Y gantry 150 which includes aninjector 154 that dispensesfoam 146 into eachcavity 142 according to a predefined depth and pattern.Gantry 150 andinjector 154 are likewise computer controlled. - Note that while
insulation 146 can be applied in any wall portion of ahouse 70, typicallyinsulation 146 is only applied to the exterior walls of any givenhouse 70. However, it can be desired to applyinsulation 146 to interior walls where sound proofing is desired, such as between bathroom walls or bedroom walls. Thus, where noinsulation 146 is needed for a givenframe 98,gantry 150 can remain dormant for thatparticular frame 98. - Station 90-5 also includes a
second glue gun 158 that that applies a second layer ofglue 102.Glue gun 158 operates in substantially the same manner asglue gun 106. - Once the
insulation 146 andglue 106 are applied at station 90-5,frame 98 is advanced from station 90-5 to station 90-6. Station 90-6 is represented inFIG. 8 . In station 90-6, a covering 162 is applied to the exposed side offrame 98. Avacuum assist arm 166, much likearm 114, can be used to place covering 162 ontoframe 98 in station 90-6. Whereframe 98 is for an external wall, covering 162 can be a sheathing, such as plywood, oriented strand board, code board or the like. Whereframe 98 is for an internal wall, then covering 162 will typically be the same asdrywall 110. - At this point those skilled in the art will also now appreciate that covering 162 (and/or drywall) can in fact be any type of covering for
frame 98 to present a visible surface for an interior or exterior wall. - Once covering 162 is applied at station 90-6,
frame 98 is advanced from station 90-6 to station 90-7. Station 90-7 is represented inFIG. 9 . In station 90-7covering 162 is mechanically fastened to frame 98 and, if needed, cutaways, such as for doors and windows, are made. InFIG. 9 , it is assumed that covering 162 is drywall, and accordingly, astaple gun 166, much likestaple gun 118, is used to apply staples along covering 162 alongstuds 94. However, where covering 162 is another type of materials, another type of mechanical fastening device, and corresponding fasteners, other thanstaple gun 166, can be used. Cutaways are made by arobotic cutter 170, much likecutter 122, to expose doors and windows and the like. - As can be seen in
FIG. 10 , once work in station 90-7 is complete, aplanar wall section 78 is now substantially complete and ready for shipping to its destination final assembly facility 58 for assembly into itsrespective house 70. Thus, referring again toFIG. 2 ,sub-assembly plant 54 also includes astaging area 174 where completedWall sections 78 are vertically stacked and queued for eventual transport viatrucks 83 to its respective final assembly facility 58.Staging area 174 is shown in greater detail inFIG. 11 . Optionally, as shown inFIG. 11 , further work can be done on eachsection 78, such as addingwindows 178. - At this point it will now be reiterated to those of skill in the art that
assembly line 88 is highly configurable so that each wallplanar section 78 that is produced can be very unique in terms of dimensions, locations of doors and windows, type and location of building mechanical, type of external coverings. Thus, as purchaser's make requests for specific configurations ofhouses 70, so too can sub-assembly plant 54 be configured to schedule production runs of specific wall sections 7 accordingly. Likewise, such production runs onassembly line 88 can be scheduled so as to filltrucks 83 according to the particular final assembly facility 58 to whichsuch trucks 83 are destined. - Various means of loading
wall sections 78 intotrucks 83 are contemplated. However, in a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, a hanging system is employed. Referring now toFIGS. 12-15 , a novel and inventive set ofremovable hangers 182 are employed in order to suspendwall sections 78 during transportation intrucks 83. As best seen inFIG. 12 , a series ofhangers 182 are mounted to the top of eachwall section 78. An appropriate number ofhangers 182 are employed in order to securely support the weight of eachwall section 78. - As best seen in
FIGS. 13 and 14 , eachhanger 182 comprises a threadedeye bolt 186 that can be screwed into (or removed from) acomplementary nut portion 190.Nut portion 190 has aflange portion 194 and a female-threadedportion 198 which receive the threads onbolt 186.Flange portion 194 abuts the under-side ofstud 94, while female-threadedportion 198 is received within a hole that passes throughstud 94.Flange portion 194 thus supports the localized weight of eachstud 94. The height of female-threadedportion 198 is chosen to substantially match the depth ofstud 198, or is at least less than the depth ofstud 198, so as to not protrude from the top ofstud 94 and thereby alter the dimensions offrame 98. Those skilled in the art will now recognize that oncewall section 78 is received at facility 58, eacheye bolt 186 can be removed from female-threadedportion 198, so thatsection 78 is left with no projections and the dimensions originally prescribed. - As best seen in
FIG. 15 ,hangers 182 thus can be slid into a channelizedoverhead rail 202 withinstaging area 174 that align with a channelizedoverhead rail 206 withintruck 83.Rails eyebolt 186 so thatrails wall sections 78. A plurality ofrails 206 can be disposed in parallel and/or series within eachtruck 83 so that a plurality ofwall sections 78 can be carried simultaneously bytruck 83. - Referring again to
FIG. 2 ,sub-assembly plant 54 also includes aflooring area 210 where sections offloor 80 are manufactured.Floor 80 can be manufactured using an assembly line likeassembly line 88, or manually, as desired. However manufactured, eachfloor 80 constitutes all or part of a floor for eachhouse 70. Again, eachfloor 80 is made according to the custom design of eachhouse 70. Where ahouse 70 has multiple stories, then flooringarea 210 can be used to make floors for each story. Eachfloor 80 is likewise shipped viatruck 83 to a destination assembly facility 58. - Thus, once
floors 80 andwall sections 78 are complete, they shipped viatruck 83 their intended final assembly facility 58. Referring now toFIGS. 16 and 17 , an exemplary final assembly facility 58 in accordance with another embodiment is shown in greater detail. As best seen final assembly facility 58 is made from a temporary structure, which in a present embodiment is aflexible material 214 held by a temporary frame made of aluminum tubing, not shown. A presently preferredflexible material 214 is the same material used to build a so-called “tennis bubble”. - Facility 58 also includes a pair of
rails 218 that run the length of facility 58. Eachhouse 70 is built upon a pair ofbeams 222 that run along the length ofrails 218. Aroof 226 for eachhouse 70 is built at a first, beginning end ofrails 218.Roof 226 is built fromtrusses 230 received via aninbound loading dock 234 which receivestrucks 83. -
Wall sections 78 andfloors 80 received viadock 234 are assembled in order to build the exterior and interior shell of the first house 70-1 onrails 218. During such assembly mechanical components between eachwall section 78 andfloor 80 are connected. Once shell of house 70-1 is complete, an overhead crane or gantry is used to placeroof 226 onto house 70-1. - Assembly facility 58 includes a plurality of stations, responsible for various stages of completion of each house. Facility 58 in
FIGS. 16 and 17 is shown with eight houses, 70-1, 70-2 . . . 70-8, each at various stages of completion. Inventory 238 for each station is kept adjacent to each station. Each station is used to progressively finish eachhouse 70. Such finishings include, for example: stairs, railings, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, painting, doors, windows. Again, all steps taken at each station can be completely customized according to the order of the purchaser of thehouse 70. - Once a house is complete, such as house 70-8, it exits facility 58 via an
output docking port 242 transported via a specially designedtransporter 246.Transporter 246 has a flatbed which sits above a front and rear cab, both of which having controls for steering thetransporter 246.Transporter 246 is also steerable via remote control, so that the operator can be outside oftransporter 246 andmaneuver transporter 246 while having full view of all angles oftransporter 246.Transporter 246 also has steerable front and rear axles in order to be able to tightly maneuver thehouse 70 to itsfinal lot 250. The flatbed oftransporter 246 is below-grade to facility 58, so thatrails 218 are on the same level as the flatbed oftransporter 246. - As best seen in
FIG. 18 , house 70-8 is then carried bytransporter 246 to thefinal lot 250 withinsubdivision 62 where house 70-8 is to be placed. Also as seen inFIG. 18 , the flatbed of transporter 246 (not shown inFIG. 18 ) comprises a pair of slider-rails 254 which support beams 222 of house 70-8. House 70-8 is slid off of slider-rails 254 and onto apre-poured foundation 258 onlot 250.Foundation 258 includes a plurality of taperedsockets 262 which are positioned to receive the distal ends ofbeams 222 in a complementary manner. - As best seen in
FIG. 19 , once house 70-8 is in position on foundation of 258,beams 222 can be removed by unfastening and removing a joining-plate 266, which separates eachbeam 222 into halves and allows removal of eachbeam 222 from the basement of house 70-8. WhileFIG. 19 shows two halves, it should be understood that eachbeam 222 can have a plurality of sections connected with a plurality of removable joining-plates. - It is to be understood that sub-sets and combinations and variations of the foregoing embodiments are contemplated and within the scope of the invention. One such variation is shown in
FIGS. 20 , 21 and 22, which depict askate 300 a which can be used to maneuverwall sections 78.Skate 300 a comprises an inverted-U shapedbody 304 a and a plurality ofwheels 308 a mounted to the extremities of eacharm 310 a ofbody 304 a.Wheels 308 a are rotable within eacharm 310 a so thatskate 300 a can be rolled along a surface, such as the floor ofsub-assembly plant 54. - As seen in
FIG. 20 , arail 320 a, complementary to the inverted-U shape ofbody 304 a can be mounted along a surface, such as the floor ofsub-assembly plant 54.Skate 300 a can be rolled overrail 320 a, so thatrail 320 a will guide the path ofmovement skate 300 a. - Referring now to
FIG. 23 , (a modification ofFIG. 15 ), a modified version oftruck 83 is shown and is labeled astruck 83 a.Truck 83 a includes a plurality ofrails 320 a mounted along the floor thereof. InFIG. 23 ,overhead rail 202 ofsub-assembly plant 54 is omitted, and skates 300 a are used to movewall sections 78 throughoutsub-assembly plant 54. As can be seen inFIG. 23 , it is contemplated that a plurality ofskates 300 a can be used.Wall sections 78 rest on the surface ofskates 300 a and can be slid intotruck 83 a by aligninghanger 182 withoverhead rail 206 withintruck 83 a, and correspondingly slidingskate 300 a over therail 320 a that corresponds with its matchingoverhead rail 206. In this embodiment,hanger 182 is simply for guiding and maintainingwall section 78 vertical intruck 83 a, and the weight ofwall section 78 is supported byskate 300 a. - Another variation is shown in
FIG. 24 , which shows a modified layout ofassembly plant 50 and labeled as plant 50 a. Plant 50 a is an entirely metal structure, but preferably, panelized in a manner that plant 50 a can still be disassembled from one location and reassembled at another. Plant 50 a differs fromplant 50 also in the fact that plant 50 a is T-shaped. The wider section of plant 50 a can be used as a staging area fortrusses 230,wall sections 78 andfloor sections 80. Additionally, the wider section of plant 50 a permits multiple areas in which to assembleroves 226, with at least two such areas being shown inFIG. 24 . Also shown inFIG. 24 are multiple loading docks each with a truck adjacent thereto for supplying inventory to plant 50 a. - The present invention thus provides, amongst other things, a novel system and method for manufacturing homes by providing a sub-assembly plant for producing walls and floors and one or more final assembly facilities for assembling full homes from those walls and floors and other inventory.
- While the foregoing describes certain specific embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that variations, combinations and sub-sets of those embodiments are contemplated.
Claims (20)
1. A system for manufacturing homes comprising:
a sub-assembly plant for assembling planar sections of a home according to a production schedule for custom homes; and,
at least one final assembly facility located proximal to a subdivision where a plurality of said custom homes are to be situated; said facility for receiving said planar sections from said sub-assembly plant and for constructing said homes from said planar sections according to said production schedule.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said planar sections include at least one of floor and walls.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein said sub-assembly plant includes an assembly line for producing at least a portion of said planar sections.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein said sub-assembly plant includes at least one of a framing station; a drywall application station; a mechanical services station; an insulation station and a covering station.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein the insulation station comprises an injector and a flowable closed cell foam dispenser for injecting said foam into a cavity defined by a frame and a drywall covering of said frame.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein planar sections comprise wall sections that are provided with a plurality of removable hangers.
7. The system of claim 6 wherein a truck for transporting said wall sections includes an overhead rail for receiving said hangers.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein said truck includes a plurality of floor rails, one said floor rail corresponding to each said overhead rail.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein said floor rails are complementary to a skate and wherein a plurality of said skates can be used to move each said wall section.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein the final assembly facility is movable.
11. The system of claim 1 wherein the final assembly facility includes at least one area for building a roof for each said home and an overhead crane for placing said roof on a respective home according to said production schedule.
12. The system of claim 1 wherein each home in said production schedule is different.
13. A truck for transporting planar sections of houses including a plurality of substantially parallel overhead rails for receiving hangers disposed within said sections.
14. The truck of claim 13 wherein the truck includes a plurality of floor rails, one said floor rail corresponding to each said overhead rail.
15. The truck of claim 14 wherein said floor rails are complementary to a skate and wherein a plurality of said skates can be used to move each said planar section.
16. A sub-assembly plant for assembling planar sections of a home according to a production schedule for custom homes, said sub-assembly plant for providing said planar sections to at least one final assembly facility located proximal to a subdivision where a plurality of said custom homes are to be situated; said facility for receiving said planar sections from said sub-assembly plant and for constructing said homes from said planar sections according to said production schedule; said sub-assembly plant comprising an assembly line for producing at least a portion of said planar sections.
17. The sub-assembly plant of claim 16 further comprising at least one of a framing station; a drywall application station; a mechanical services station; an insulation station and a covering station.
18. The sub-assembly plant of claim 17 wherein the insulation station comprises an injector and a flowable closed cell foam dispenser for injecting said foam into a cavity defined by a frame and a drywall covering of said frame.
19. A final assembly facility for receiving and assembling planar sections of a home according to a production schedule for custom homes; said planar sections received from a sub-assembly plant that assembles said planar sections; said final assembly facility located proximal to a subdivision where a plurality of said custom homes are to be situated; and for constructing said homes from said planar sections according to said production schedule.
20. The final assembly plant of claim 19 wherein the facility is movable.
Priority Applications (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/852,204 US7832087B2 (en) | 2006-10-11 | 2007-09-07 | Housing manufacturing system |
CA2601317A CA2601317C (en) | 2006-10-11 | 2007-09-07 | Housing manufacturing system and method |
US12/900,724 US8887399B2 (en) | 2006-10-11 | 2010-10-08 | Housing manufacturing system and method |
US14/543,040 US9587395B2 (en) | 2006-10-11 | 2014-11-17 | Housing manufacturing system and facility |
US15/441,323 US9957710B2 (en) | 2006-10-11 | 2017-02-24 | Housing manufacturing system and method |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA2563187 | 2006-10-11 | ||
CA002563187A CA2563187A1 (en) | 2006-10-11 | 2006-10-11 | Housing manufacturing system and method |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/852,204 Continuation-In-Part US7832087B2 (en) | 2006-10-11 | 2007-09-07 | Housing manufacturing system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20080086976A1 true US20080086976A1 (en) | 2008-04-17 |
Family
ID=39277149
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/675,938 Abandoned US20080086976A1 (en) | 2006-10-11 | 2007-02-16 | Housing manufacturing system and method |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20080086976A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2563187A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9108172B2 (en) | 2008-05-02 | 2015-08-18 | Basf Se | Method and device for the continuous production of polymers by radical polymerization |
CN106988428A (en) * | 2017-06-04 | 2017-07-28 | 冷延鹏 | Removable complex capsule apartment |
Citations (50)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2752864A (en) * | 1955-05-02 | 1956-07-03 | Sr Paul A Mcdougal | Bulkhead for shipping compartments |
US3168206A (en) * | 1962-12-13 | 1965-02-02 | Nat Homes Corp | Trailer |
US3633795A (en) * | 1969-12-16 | 1972-01-11 | Insta Foam Prod Inc | Foam dispenser |
US3707165A (en) * | 1970-08-10 | 1972-12-26 | Joel S Stahl | Plastic plumbing wall |
US3743120A (en) * | 1971-08-04 | 1973-07-03 | Gen Trailer Co Inc | Vehicle with self-contained load transfer system |
US3758067A (en) * | 1971-05-12 | 1973-09-11 | A Kleiber | Movable multiple casting moulds and elements therefor |
US3800493A (en) * | 1972-03-01 | 1974-04-02 | Marcor Housing Systems | Dwelling construction system |
US3805365A (en) * | 1972-12-13 | 1974-04-23 | Ashby H | Method and apparatus for constructing house structures to be transported and installed at remote locations |
US3820216A (en) * | 1972-09-28 | 1974-06-28 | Lely Nv C Van Der | Production lines for the manufacture of prefabricated buildings |
US3958320A (en) * | 1972-09-19 | 1976-05-25 | Lely Cornelis V D | Methods for the manufacture of prefabricated building sections or room units and factories for the implementation of such methods |
US3958705A (en) * | 1973-03-08 | 1976-05-25 | Baxter Bobby G | Method for moving and aligning modular house units onto a foundation |
US3962773A (en) * | 1972-09-19 | 1976-06-15 | Lely Cornelis V D | Methods for the manufacture of prefabricated building sections or room units and factories for the implementation of such methods |
US3994060A (en) * | 1971-10-01 | 1976-11-30 | Lely Cornelis V D | Methods and production lines for the manufacture of prefabricated buildings |
US4042118A (en) * | 1976-03-09 | 1977-08-16 | Schmidt Hans V | Combination roller conveyor and cross-conveyor system |
US4044854A (en) * | 1976-05-14 | 1977-08-30 | Ami Industries, Inc. | Power steering system for heavy load dollies |
US4096675A (en) * | 1976-08-25 | 1978-06-27 | Next Generation Housing Corporation Of America | Split-slab house construction |
US4110952A (en) * | 1976-09-07 | 1978-09-05 | North Oakland Development Corporation | Home building method |
US4187659A (en) * | 1976-09-07 | 1980-02-12 | North Oakland Development Corporation | Home building method and apparatus |
US4305538A (en) * | 1979-11-02 | 1981-12-15 | Robert Schultz | Portable apparatus for assembling frame structures |
US4450617A (en) * | 1981-05-14 | 1984-05-29 | The Dillon Company | System for and assembly of a prefabricated home module |
US4501098A (en) * | 1982-07-19 | 1985-02-26 | Heritage Homes, Inc. | Hybrid home construction technique |
US4512120A (en) * | 1982-02-24 | 1985-04-23 | Lindal Sir W | Modular home construction |
US4546530A (en) * | 1983-06-14 | 1985-10-15 | Polyfab S.A.R.L. | Method for producing a modular building unit |
US4573302A (en) * | 1985-03-11 | 1986-03-04 | Caretto Robert J | Method of constructing houses |
US4597615A (en) * | 1984-04-04 | 1986-07-01 | Andersen & Associates, Inc. | Storage system |
US4884935A (en) * | 1986-05-06 | 1989-12-05 | Xerox Canada, Inc. | Collapsible transporter module and method of using same |
US4894909A (en) * | 1987-10-28 | 1990-01-23 | Mazda Motor Corp. | Apparatus for assembling wheel attaching unit for use in vehicle assembly line |
US4899497A (en) * | 1988-01-15 | 1990-02-13 | Madl Jr Jos | Foundation system and derivative bracing system for manufactured building |
US5082415A (en) * | 1988-08-04 | 1992-01-21 | Takeshi Hayashi | Fork lift style loading apparatus |
US5136751A (en) * | 1991-04-30 | 1992-08-11 | Master Manufacturing Co. | Wheel assembly |
US5374151A (en) * | 1990-07-14 | 1994-12-20 | Matthews; Robin | Transport loading system |
US5402618A (en) * | 1991-12-31 | 1995-04-04 | Cable Bridge Enterprises Limited | System for use in fabricating, transporting and placing a prefabricated building unit at its placement site |
US5472300A (en) * | 1992-01-31 | 1995-12-05 | Lipschitz; Larry | Apparatus for partitioning a storage space |
US5689705A (en) * | 1995-02-13 | 1997-11-18 | Pulte Home Corporation | System for facilitating home construction and sales |
US5765330A (en) * | 1996-07-29 | 1998-06-16 | Richard; Michel V. | Pre-insulated prefab wall panel |
US5771645A (en) * | 1996-04-12 | 1998-06-30 | Porter; William H. | Electrical access in structural insulated foam core panels |
US5819498A (en) * | 1996-10-29 | 1998-10-13 | Geraci; Joseph R. | Home construction methodology |
US5943960A (en) * | 1995-10-18 | 1999-08-31 | Mannesmann Ag | Running wheel block |
US6000192A (en) * | 1995-07-14 | 1999-12-14 | Cohen Brothers Homes, Llc | Method of production of standard size dwellings |
US6253504B1 (en) * | 1995-07-14 | 2001-07-03 | Cohen Brothers Homes, Llc | Manufacturing facility for production of standard size dwellings |
US6308491B1 (en) * | 1999-10-08 | 2001-10-30 | William H. Porter | Structural insulated panel |
US20020007605A1 (en) * | 1997-11-14 | 2002-01-24 | Cohen Brothers Homes, Llc | Manufactured standard size dwellings having an integral base frame |
US20020100235A1 (en) * | 2001-02-01 | 2002-08-01 | Arvin Weiss | Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for use in panelized construction |
US6467223B1 (en) * | 1999-01-27 | 2002-10-22 | Jack Christley | Composite concrete and steel floor/carrier for modular buildings |
US6571523B2 (en) * | 2001-05-16 | 2003-06-03 | Brian Wayne Chambers | Wall framing system |
US6571528B1 (en) * | 2001-12-20 | 2003-06-03 | Universal Services, Inc. | Mechanical connector between headed studs and reinforcing steel |
US6681702B1 (en) * | 2002-04-12 | 2004-01-27 | Charles W. Nicely | Skate for use with a floor track storage system |
US6951079B2 (en) * | 2000-01-27 | 2005-10-04 | Fairfax Express Corporation | System and method of panelized construction |
US20050257456A1 (en) * | 2004-05-07 | 2005-11-24 | Biffis Lou G | Homes and home construction |
US20090229194A1 (en) * | 2008-03-11 | 2009-09-17 | Advanced Shielding Technologies Europe S.I. | Portable modular data center |
-
2006
- 2006-10-11 CA CA002563187A patent/CA2563187A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2007
- 2007-02-16 US US11/675,938 patent/US20080086976A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (53)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2752864A (en) * | 1955-05-02 | 1956-07-03 | Sr Paul A Mcdougal | Bulkhead for shipping compartments |
US3168206A (en) * | 1962-12-13 | 1965-02-02 | Nat Homes Corp | Trailer |
US3633795A (en) * | 1969-12-16 | 1972-01-11 | Insta Foam Prod Inc | Foam dispenser |
US3707165A (en) * | 1970-08-10 | 1972-12-26 | Joel S Stahl | Plastic plumbing wall |
US3758067A (en) * | 1971-05-12 | 1973-09-11 | A Kleiber | Movable multiple casting moulds and elements therefor |
US3743120A (en) * | 1971-08-04 | 1973-07-03 | Gen Trailer Co Inc | Vehicle with self-contained load transfer system |
US3994060A (en) * | 1971-10-01 | 1976-11-30 | Lely Cornelis V D | Methods and production lines for the manufacture of prefabricated buildings |
US3800493A (en) * | 1972-03-01 | 1974-04-02 | Marcor Housing Systems | Dwelling construction system |
US3958320A (en) * | 1972-09-19 | 1976-05-25 | Lely Cornelis V D | Methods for the manufacture of prefabricated building sections or room units and factories for the implementation of such methods |
US3962773A (en) * | 1972-09-19 | 1976-06-15 | Lely Cornelis V D | Methods for the manufacture of prefabricated building sections or room units and factories for the implementation of such methods |
US3820216A (en) * | 1972-09-28 | 1974-06-28 | Lely Nv C Van Der | Production lines for the manufacture of prefabricated buildings |
US3805365A (en) * | 1972-12-13 | 1974-04-23 | Ashby H | Method and apparatus for constructing house structures to be transported and installed at remote locations |
US3958705A (en) * | 1973-03-08 | 1976-05-25 | Baxter Bobby G | Method for moving and aligning modular house units onto a foundation |
US4042118A (en) * | 1976-03-09 | 1977-08-16 | Schmidt Hans V | Combination roller conveyor and cross-conveyor system |
US4044854A (en) * | 1976-05-14 | 1977-08-30 | Ami Industries, Inc. | Power steering system for heavy load dollies |
US4096675A (en) * | 1976-08-25 | 1978-06-27 | Next Generation Housing Corporation Of America | Split-slab house construction |
US4110952A (en) * | 1976-09-07 | 1978-09-05 | North Oakland Development Corporation | Home building method |
US4187659A (en) * | 1976-09-07 | 1980-02-12 | North Oakland Development Corporation | Home building method and apparatus |
US4305538A (en) * | 1979-11-02 | 1981-12-15 | Robert Schultz | Portable apparatus for assembling frame structures |
US4450617A (en) * | 1981-05-14 | 1984-05-29 | The Dillon Company | System for and assembly of a prefabricated home module |
US4512120A (en) * | 1982-02-24 | 1985-04-23 | Lindal Sir W | Modular home construction |
US4501098A (en) * | 1982-07-19 | 1985-02-26 | Heritage Homes, Inc. | Hybrid home construction technique |
US4546530A (en) * | 1983-06-14 | 1985-10-15 | Polyfab S.A.R.L. | Method for producing a modular building unit |
US4597615A (en) * | 1984-04-04 | 1986-07-01 | Andersen & Associates, Inc. | Storage system |
US4573302A (en) * | 1985-03-11 | 1986-03-04 | Caretto Robert J | Method of constructing houses |
US4884935A (en) * | 1986-05-06 | 1989-12-05 | Xerox Canada, Inc. | Collapsible transporter module and method of using same |
US4894909A (en) * | 1987-10-28 | 1990-01-23 | Mazda Motor Corp. | Apparatus for assembling wheel attaching unit for use in vehicle assembly line |
US4899497A (en) * | 1988-01-15 | 1990-02-13 | Madl Jr Jos | Foundation system and derivative bracing system for manufactured building |
US5082415A (en) * | 1988-08-04 | 1992-01-21 | Takeshi Hayashi | Fork lift style loading apparatus |
US5374151A (en) * | 1990-07-14 | 1994-12-20 | Matthews; Robin | Transport loading system |
US5136751A (en) * | 1991-04-30 | 1992-08-11 | Master Manufacturing Co. | Wheel assembly |
US5402618A (en) * | 1991-12-31 | 1995-04-04 | Cable Bridge Enterprises Limited | System for use in fabricating, transporting and placing a prefabricated building unit at its placement site |
US5472300A (en) * | 1992-01-31 | 1995-12-05 | Lipschitz; Larry | Apparatus for partitioning a storage space |
US6539401B1 (en) * | 1995-02-13 | 2003-03-25 | Timothy A. Fino | System for facilitating home construction and sales |
US5689705A (en) * | 1995-02-13 | 1997-11-18 | Pulte Home Corporation | System for facilitating home construction and sales |
US5991769A (en) * | 1995-02-13 | 1999-11-23 | Pulte Home Corporation | System for facilitating home construction and sales |
US20030172006A1 (en) * | 1995-02-13 | 2003-09-11 | Fino Timothy A. | System for facilitating home construction and sales |
US6000192A (en) * | 1995-07-14 | 1999-12-14 | Cohen Brothers Homes, Llc | Method of production of standard size dwellings |
US6253504B1 (en) * | 1995-07-14 | 2001-07-03 | Cohen Brothers Homes, Llc | Manufacturing facility for production of standard size dwellings |
US5943960A (en) * | 1995-10-18 | 1999-08-31 | Mannesmann Ag | Running wheel block |
US5771645A (en) * | 1996-04-12 | 1998-06-30 | Porter; William H. | Electrical access in structural insulated foam core panels |
US5765330A (en) * | 1996-07-29 | 1998-06-16 | Richard; Michel V. | Pre-insulated prefab wall panel |
US5819498A (en) * | 1996-10-29 | 1998-10-13 | Geraci; Joseph R. | Home construction methodology |
US20020007605A1 (en) * | 1997-11-14 | 2002-01-24 | Cohen Brothers Homes, Llc | Manufactured standard size dwellings having an integral base frame |
US6467223B1 (en) * | 1999-01-27 | 2002-10-22 | Jack Christley | Composite concrete and steel floor/carrier for modular buildings |
US6308491B1 (en) * | 1999-10-08 | 2001-10-30 | William H. Porter | Structural insulated panel |
US6951079B2 (en) * | 2000-01-27 | 2005-10-04 | Fairfax Express Corporation | System and method of panelized construction |
US20020100235A1 (en) * | 2001-02-01 | 2002-08-01 | Arvin Weiss | Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for use in panelized construction |
US6571523B2 (en) * | 2001-05-16 | 2003-06-03 | Brian Wayne Chambers | Wall framing system |
US6571528B1 (en) * | 2001-12-20 | 2003-06-03 | Universal Services, Inc. | Mechanical connector between headed studs and reinforcing steel |
US6681702B1 (en) * | 2002-04-12 | 2004-01-27 | Charles W. Nicely | Skate for use with a floor track storage system |
US20050257456A1 (en) * | 2004-05-07 | 2005-11-24 | Biffis Lou G | Homes and home construction |
US20090229194A1 (en) * | 2008-03-11 | 2009-09-17 | Advanced Shielding Technologies Europe S.I. | Portable modular data center |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9108172B2 (en) | 2008-05-02 | 2015-08-18 | Basf Se | Method and device for the continuous production of polymers by radical polymerization |
CN106988428A (en) * | 2017-06-04 | 2017-07-28 | 冷延鹏 | Removable complex capsule apartment |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2563187A1 (en) | 2008-04-11 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US9957710B2 (en) | Housing manufacturing system and method | |
US11002003B2 (en) | Lightweight steel parallel modular constructions system with synthetic modules | |
EP0839237B1 (en) | Movable manufacturing facility for production of standard size dwellings | |
CA2226873C (en) | Method of production of standard size dwellings using a movable manufacturing facility | |
US10947720B2 (en) | Block construction of prefabricated buildings | |
US9663937B2 (en) | Modular housing and method of installation in a structural framework | |
US20100024318A1 (en) | Prefab system, structure and assembling method for all-functional framed buildings | |
EP1740782A1 (en) | System for production of standard size dwellings using a satellite manufacturing facility | |
US20050210764A1 (en) | Prefabricated building with self-aligning sections and method of manufacture and assembly of same | |
EP3889374B1 (en) | Method for constructing buildings | |
US20020007605A1 (en) | Manufactured standard size dwellings having an integral base frame | |
US20090113814A1 (en) | Monolithic module structure to build constructions and method for its manufacture | |
US20080086976A1 (en) | Housing manufacturing system and method | |
DE19834616A1 (en) | Building construction system using prefabricated elements made of large wooden sections with integral doors and windows that are assembled on site the whole process being automated using a CAD-CIM process | |
US8407964B1 (en) | Building construction method | |
CA2601317C (en) | Housing manufacturing system and method | |
US20230374770A1 (en) | Modularized enclosed structures | |
JP2005105650A (en) | Partition wall construction method | |
CA2359062C (en) | Standard size dwellings | |
US20080184630A1 (en) | Home manufacturing facility | |
US20080276565A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for stick building homes within a factory | |
Schroeder | A Timber-Frame/Modular Hybrid House |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: THE MATTAMY CORPORATION, CANADA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:GILGAN, PETER;REEL/FRAME:018902/0909 Effective date: 20061024 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: THE MATTAMY CORPORATION, CANADA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:DIRKS, JURGEN;GILGAN, PETER;MEEVIS, WILLIAM;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:023264/0163 Effective date: 20070717 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |