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The prefabricated metal buildings

A strategy for the adoption of advanced Information

Technologies

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Introduction

Existing processes and business environment Available and suitable information technologies A framework target plan, including assessment of

potential benefits Assess the expected costs of achieving the plan Analysis of the readiness for implementation of

the framework plan A detailed plan for the next incremental step

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Business Environment

What is the prefabricated metal buildings industry? Composed of firms fabricating the

components of complete low-rise nonresidential building systems

Categorized in the manufacturing industry section according to the Economic Census

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Business environment (Cont.)

An economic review Popular as nonresidential structures

65 percents share of nonresidential market compared with about 50 % in 1990 and 35 % in the early 1970s. (U.S. industry and trade outlook 2000)

Affordability, faster completion and occupation times, and high quality

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Business environment (Cont.) The total number of

companies is 603. Added value is $1,

767, 827, 000. Companies with less

20 employees are over a half among total

The majority of the output are the larger companies

Source: The 1997 Economic Census

Companies No.

EmployeesNo.

Add value($1,000)

Less 20 employees

364 2,079 114,427

20 to 99 178 7,995 545,984

100 to 999 61 15,893 1,107,416

Total 603 25,967 1,767,827

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Processes environment

How are companies involved? Companies can serve the consumers

directly as a design-build team Companies can be involved in the design

process only Companies can be involved in the

manufacturing and erection process only Companies can be the subcontractors

and materials suppliers

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Processes environment (Cont.)

What activities exist? Win contract to acquire project Planning and scheduling Design Manufacturing and assembling Storage and delivery Erection

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Processes environment (Cont.)

O.K?

ClientRequirements

Do ArchitectDesign

License &Approve

Do Eng. LayoutDesign

Estimate

Bid & Contract

Do Eng. DetailDesign

FabricatePackage & ShipDo Errection on

Site

Do Foundation

N

Y

Y

N

N

Y

O.K?

O.K?

Need Architect?

Client Selectsfrom Catalog

YN

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Available Information Technologies

A list of technologies being used 2-D drawing 3-D modeling: e.g. PresentationPlus 3D Fabrication and assembly: CNC, CAM,

Robotics Interactive online system (Design,

pricing, detailing, bill of materials, erection and fabrication drawing): e.g. QUESTmb

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Available Information Technologies (Cont.)

PresentationPlus 3D by Loseke Technologies, Inc. Show the clients the building in color

and in three dimensions Can modify the building from size to

location of openings then show the clients the results instantly.

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Available Information Technologies (Cont.)

Integrated online system by steelbuilding.com Customers can choose the building dimensions

and roof pitch, and accessories The computerized design and pricing system Produce a color image of the building and an

itemized price including delivery charges Automatically calculate shipping charges

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A frame target plan for simple buildings

License &Approve

Do Eng. LayoutDesign

Estimate

Quote & Contract

Do Eng. DetailDesign

FabricatePackage & ShipDo Errection on

Site

Do Foundation

Client Designs onWeb

Fully Automation

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Assessment of potential benefits for simple buildings Reducing direct cost of design Reducing the time-From several

weeks or months to several ours or minutes

Fabrication benefits with CNC Reducing cost of detailing Errors reduction

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Expected costs of achieving the plan Items of expected costs for achieving

Software cost Hardware cost Maintaining cost

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Reference Reference U.S Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census The 1997 Economic Census: Manufacturing Industry Series The 1997 Economic Census: Construction Industry Series The U.S Industry and Trade Outlook 2000 William D. Booth, Metal Building Contracting and Construction, 1999 CNC fabrication,

http://www.efunda.com/processes/metal_processing/cnc.cfm American Straight Steel,

http://www.americanstraightsteel.com/manufacturing.html CAD/CAM

http://www.geocities.com/cadcamworld/ Steelbuilding.com

http://www.insideselfstorage.com/articles/291spotl1.html The link of metal buildings companies

http://dmoz.org/Business/Construction_and_Maintenance/Materials_and_Supplies/Special_Construction/Metal_Building_Systems/