Conceptual robot design for the automated layout of building structures by integrating QFD and TRIZ

According to the increase in building size and lack of skilled laborers, layout operation has high demands on automation for productivity and quality improvement. With such a background, research has been recently undertaken to develop an automated layout system based on marking robots for structural work in Korea. Although there are several robot-based automation systems under development targeted at interior works, the system for structural work has different functional needs and technical requirements in designing robots compared with the existing ones. Therefore, this study proposes a conceptual robot design for an automated layout of building structures, based on a systematic design process, by integrating quality function deployment (QFD) and the theory of creative problem solving (TRIZ). With the support of the approach, 11 user requirements and 16 relevant technical characteristics were derived and prioritized, and 15 creative ideas were derived to solve the technical contradictions. The selected design solution improves driving speed by separating driving and marking operations, and the two-wheeled steering drive system with a suspension device allows easier driving control in a narrow and uneven driving environment. The noncontact type of printer head also minimizes the complexity of the device and provides excellent performance in securing marking precision and quality in response to floor conditions. The results of this study will be used for the detailed design of the layout robot system, and the design process can be utilized for designing and evaluating other construction robots and automation systems.