Smart and Digital is the Way Forward: Innovation Technologies for Electrical and Mechanical Engineering

The construction industry has stepped into a new era encouraged by the emergence of advanced construction technology, the can-do and will-do attitude has always been the driving force for the industry’s advancement. Ir HO On-sing, Thomas, Chairman of the Construction Industry Council visited CSC Robotic Engineering Limited (CSC ROBO) to check out how the team’s synergy has played a crucial role in enhancing safety and efficiency in the electrical and mechanical engineering area and providing more protection to construction workers, through implementing Multi-trade Integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MiMEP) and developing construction robots.

MiMEP Supports Completion of On Site Work in One Day Adopting CDE for More Benefits

On the ground of the industry’s interest, the CIC is devoted to promoting the adoption of innovative technologies such as Building Information Model (BIM), MiMEP, Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA). Leveraging the electrical and mechanical knowledge and resources from its parent company Shun Cheong Engineering Group, the CSC ROBO rides the trend and provides a full circle service of MiMEP service.

The team has exemplified the advantages of employing advanced construction technology in multiple projects at both public and private sectors. When operation space is limited on the rooftop filled with chillers, it could take more than 1.5 months to install MEP equipment by conventional on-site construction method. The team deployed MiMEP, DfMA and manufactured prefabricated modules in factory beforehand. Thus, it only took one day to complete the installation work, as workers hoisted all the modules to the roof in the morning and welded them to alignment in the afternoon. This demonstrates the most vital contribution of MiMEP and DfMA in terms of shortening construction period and enhancing efficiency. Adopting advanced construction methods benefits different industry stakeholders in various aspects, it ensures construction safety and quality, reduces construction waste and alleviate the problem of labour shortage.

As MiMEP and DfMA showed such significance in enhancing quality, quantity and efficiency, Ir Thomas Ho stressed that CIC would continue to promote the wider use of advanced construction technology. He also urges the industry take further step to utilise Common Date Environment (CDE). With the key concept of ‘integration’ and ‘single source of truth’, CDE complements BIM and allow collecting, managing and publishing information at any time. This improves efficiency of communication as well as the team’s collaboration.

Automatic Robots Replaces Manual Work Easing Danger of Working from Height

Working from height and repetitive process may cause construction accidents or injuries, CSC ROBO envisages to reduce risk and enhance efficiency in MEP installation and the first scenario is put on ceiling drilling. The vision of encouraging the industry to advance prompts the team to successfully develop two construction robots, after their establishment three years ago, namely: Remote Control Drilling Machine “Drillraffe” and Drilling & Anchor Installing Robot “Drillcorpio”.

Equipped with the function of ceiling drilling and anchor installation, Drillcorpio operates with a higher level of intelligence. After setting laser cross targets from ground or using specific ink patterns, the robot would automatically identify the targets through its intelligent vision system and perform drilling, eliminating working from height tasks for workers. The drilling tool comes with a dust collector, facilitating the collection and cleaning of dust, so as to protect the health of workers and keep the construction site tidy. With a rebar evade function, Drillcorpio would stop its action when rebar is detected and suggest alternative spots to user. The robot is equipped with an anchor installation tool and a force sensor which ensures that the anchor is fully expanded and is properly anchored into the concrete.

Young Talents and Innovative Technology are Keys to Constant Advancement for the Industry

Revitalisation is one of the three major pillars of “Construction 2.0” in order to nurture the younger generation and pass on the knowledge. The research and development team of CSC ROBO comprises of new blood of the industry from different backgrounds including engineers, technicians, marketing professionals etc. Though having diversified background and talents, they all strive to be motors for the innovative development of construction industry. Ir Thomas Ho agreed to the team’s view that the industry need to demonstrate more adoption of automation and advanced technologies, in order to attract the younger generation to join the industry. Ir Thomas Ho said profession talents of diverse background are very welcomed to join for the sake of industry advancement, and together we should build the future of construction industry while enjoying the advantages that the golden decade brings.

CSC ROBO proved that it is not a mission impossible to achieve “zero accidents” with the utilisation of robots to alleviate the problem of worker shortage and ease the danger of working from height. Ir Thomas Ho appreciated the team which implements the concept of construction safety when developing construction robots, it enhances the protection towards workers and boosts productivity. Ir Thomas Ho added that robotics and automation are definitely the worldwide trend of construction, he longed to see more related products and propel the construction industry to another golden era.

The Construction Industry Council is gratified to see the industry sharing advanced technology and experience to figure out solutions towards existing problems. The CIC will hold its triennial flagship event at the end of this year, the Construction Innovation Expo 2022, with the aim to establish a platform for exchanging ideas, encourage better performance and further improve.