A completely self-contained mobile steel frame fabrication factory, from FrameCAD Solutions , that can be rapidly deployed virtually anywhere, is fast gaining favour among developers and construction companies world wide.
The FrameCAD Mobile Factory was a major attraction at the Big 5 International Building and Construction show in Dubai last year and will be unveiled in Perth at a series of building expo seminars from March 17.
The mobile factory is housed in a modified 20ft-shipping container and can be trucked or airlifted into any location and made operational within 24 hours of being sited.
The mobile steel frame fabrication factory has its own diesel generator and computer-operated steel frame fabricating machine, and can manufacture precision engineered framing at a rate of 700 metres per hour. This allows quick start construction of structures of all kinds, including residential homes and multi level commercial buildings.
Mark Taylor, Chief Executive Officer at FrameCAD explained that while the speed at which the mobile factory can be deployed is an important advantage, there are many other benefits, especially in remote areas.
“We’re talking about manufacturing pre-engineered structures that can be produced, assembled and maintained by the local labour force, even where skill levels are low and there is no reliable infrastructure,” says Mark.
“Production is computer controlled and every piece of framing produced is numbered and coded so it can be easily assembled.”
Another significant advantage of the mobile factory is that it helps reduce construction costs because the framing is produced on site instead of having to be transported from a fixed facility.
“Transportation costs can be a big factor when large projects are being developed in remote areas,” says Mark. “With the mobile factory, you can get in and get the project started very quickly. And of course, once the project is completed, the factory can be relocated to another site.”
The mobile steel frame fabrication factory has been specifically designed to operate in all environments, including hot arid deserts and humid tropical forests.
A full canopy offers protection from the weather elements for both the mobile factory and assembly area, while air-conditioning ensures the FrameCAD machinery is operating at the optimum temperature and that the operator is working in a comfortable environment.
A full range of tools and training is provided for commissioning the mobile steel frame fabrication factory, maintaining the machinery and assembling the steel framing.
Mark continued to explain that the mobile factory was originally designed for commercial building companies wanting to build multiple homes in large-scale developments.
“Since then, events such as the tsunamis in the Pacific Islands and the earthquakes in Indonesia and Haiti have highlighted the potential for using the factory for disaster relief and we’ve been talking to various aid organisations to see how we can work together.”
Before the development of the mobile steel frame fabrication factory, Mark was personally involved in disaster relief activities following the 2006 earthquake in Pakistan. A hand-picked team from FrameCAD set up a factory within two days and trained staff on site to design and build relief housing, medical clinics, schools and other much needed facilities.
Within the first 12 months following the disaster, one million square feet of buildings were erected using FrameCAD steel framing.
A similar strategy was also used in Indonesia after the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.
Building industry professionals who are interested in attending the FrameCAD Building Expo seminars can register by emailing FrameCAD.
