As new technology used in construction becomes available, the HP SitePrint robot has emerged as a game-changing tool for construction layout tasks. The tool brings the advanced printing technology HP is known for into the world of site layout. The precision of the tool allows for an increase in the accuracy of layouts. Also, its automated nature frees up workers for other tasks. Many construction companies have already experienced the benefits of HP SitePrint for construction setup.
To help you integrate this new technology into your projects, we've put together this three-step guide. We'll walk you through the process, from the initial setup phase to the final layout of the project. The HP SitePrint robot was designed to be easy to use. So the process won't be hard to learn. Simply follow along, and by the time you finish, you can prepare to start laying out sites.
Step 1: Preparing the Layout Instructions
The HP SitePrint robot works through the use of CAD files. To get set up with this new technology used in construction, the first step is to prepare the CAD files. These files will tell the robot:
- What the layout is
- What should be printed within it
- Any special printing instructions that may be required
There are some key points to remember when getting your CAD files ready. First, the robot uses 2D CAD files. Second, the accuracy of the robot is determined solely by the accuracy of your CAD files. As long as you prepare your CAD files in 2D and ensure their accuracy before sending them to the robot, it'll print a precise representation of your layout.
One advantage of new technology used in construction is the ability to work from the cloud. By saving your CAD files in the cloud, you're ensuring that all stakeholders are working with the most up-to-date plans and simplifying the sharing process with field operators. Saving in the cloud eliminates some of the delays typically associated with traditional methods of data exchange.
Once you've got the CAD file created and are sure of its accuracy, it's time to feed it to the robot. This process is simple. The HP SitePrint technology uses a software plugin that guides you through the process of transferring the data from your computer to the robot.
Step 2: Preparing the Construction Site
This next step for construction setup using HP SitePrint is largely the same as it is for any other method of site layout. The area to be laid out must be prepared before the process begins. Just as you would for any other layout project, clear the area of any blockages that may prevent workers (or, in this case, the robot) from laying out the site properly.
Obstacles that aren't in the way of the layout are not a major concern, though, because the HP SitePrint is smart enough to avoid obstacles as it goes about its task. Its advanced sensors allow it to navigate around potential hindrances without difficulty. Keep in mind that the more obstacles the robot has to navigate around, the slower it will be at its task.
The robot may go about its task with minimal human interaction, but it does require a partner to work. In this case, the partner is the Robotic Total Station. This is the device that tells the robot where it currently is in relation to where it needs to be via reference points. Without this station, the robot won't be able to self-position or navigate the layout accurately.
To help the HP SitePrint robot with its job, the Robotic Total Station must be given a set of control points that serve as references for the positional data it sends to the robot. The accuracy of the layout depends on the accuracy of these control points. Thankfully, setting them up is easy. Setting up the Robotic Total Station (RTS) is also easy. A simple wireless connection will serve as a link between the HP SitePrint robot and the Robotic Total Station. A user-friendly interface for the RTS will guide you through the process of setting it up.
Step 3: Executing the Automated Layout Plans
In the final step of the construction setup process, the information that's been fed to the machine in the first two steps will be put to use in printing the layout directly onto the floor. You can use any device connected to the internet to select the appropriate CAD files and start the printing process. The four-step process includes:
- Opening the CAD File: Before the layout process begins, you may have used the HP SitePrint plugin to prepare the CAD file for use with the robot and saved it in the cloud. Now, you just need to select the appropriate file for the current job.
- Selecting the Print Area: With the CAD file loaded, the interface will allow you to select which elements of the file you'd like to print. Follow the on-screen instructions and select the correct area for the robot to lay out.
- Selecting the Ink: Not all surfaces have the same physical properties. Because of this, HP SitePrint robots can use a wide range of inks. Some are long-lasting and durable, while others are easily removed. Before printing, find an ink appropriate for the types of material you'll be printing on.
- Submitting the Print Job: Finally, you can submit the print job to begin the process. To do so, simply follow the instructions on the robot's display. When you start this step, the robot will begin its work. Be sure that your area is prepared and ready for the process to start—in the same way it should be prepared for any other layout process. In just a few clicks, it'll be on its way to print your layout.
As the robot prints, it should maintain a line of sight between its tracking prism and the Robotic Total Station. This visual connection is how the two devices communicate with one another and is therefore imperative for a precise layout. The robot is designed to reconnect if the line of sight is interrupted.
This whole process of adopting this new technology used in construction is made much easier when you connect to the HP SitePrint cloud. Once connected to the cloud, CAD files will automatically be available on the device. You can be sure that you're always using the latest version of the file. Also, you'll enjoy uninterrupted file sharing with other team members.
Speed and Precision
Not only can robots complete "busy work" tasks, but they can also improve the speed and accuracy with which these tasks are performed. Consider MEP markups. Traditionally, crews had to translate electrical gridlines from 2D renderings on 3D surfaces. Doing so required repeated comparing and contrasting plans with site markings, considerable communication between workers, and error correction.
Overall, this process has been tremendously time-consuming, even when performed flawlessly. Lighting markups alone can be quite complex, as lighting placement is a crucial design element for residential and commercial spaces. In luxury spaces, lighting is typically more abundant and often requires complex fixtures.
Even if a building employs a relatively conventional lighting setup, electricians must mark up areas for outlets, fixtures, junction boxes, and wiring. RTS, or robotic total station, systems have helped considerably in this regard. This surveying tool has been used to measure the area in order to develop more accurate grid systems. Electricians can manually mark up building spaces using these grid systems more accurately. However, while this method improves accuracy somewhat, it still requires manual markups.
Start Your Next Project With HP SitePrint
New technology used in construction, such as the HP SitePrint robot, can greatly simplify the process of construction layout. It will save you time and improve the accuracy of your layouts at the same time. The robot's user-first design has resulted in an interface that anyone can get quickly up to speed on.
With just a little practice, the steps above will become a seamless part of your workflow. Because the interface guides you through much of the work, going through the steps is very easy. If you have any questions about what HP SitePrint is and how it works, you'll likely find the answers in our helpful FAQ section.
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