Contour Crafting: An Emerging Concept To Build Faster

The Indian construction industry has in place its set practices and systems. The industry is well-established and over the years it has grown by leaps and bounds. But lately, due to the complications of low productivity, massive construction material waste and fatal on-site accidents, the necessity for extensive innovations in technology have become necessary. 

To improve the quality and productivity in the construction industry, the market players did a thorough research and developed advanced technologies in building construction such as computerisation, automation, mechanisation and prefabrication modularisation.   

The advancement of new technologies in the construction industry can't be done overnight where big changes can happen on the spur of the moment, some time is needed to help evolve new technologies. The new-age construction system aims high and believes in bringing a change in styles of building construction through sophistication of developed technologies, methodologies and concepts. 

Contour Crafting is one of the latest technologies, which can help curb the housing demand. The process of CC will be beneficial because of its nature that would not be exceptionally useful for its speed. But what is contour crafting? And how it is going the enhance the building construction especially in the housing sector? Let's take a look at this in brief. 

What is contour crafting? 

As the technology advances, there is an urgent need to speed up the fabrication process to meet the rising housing demand. Contour crafting is certainly a process which can define the new meaning in the housing sector. 

It is a layered fabrication process through which substantial parts cab be made up or assemble swiftly. The CC process has the potential for automating the construction of entire structures as well as sub-components. This process uses a computer-controlled crane to build structures quickly and proficiently. It involves considerably less physical labour. This technology can also be used for commercial housing but it is not limited to any specific sector; the process is wide-ranging.  

In a nutshell, it is building printing technology which is being researched by Behrokh Khoshnevis of the University of Southern California's Information Sciences Institute (in the Viterbi School of Engineering). In view of no respite from the housing crisis, the technology can provide relief to a large number of people. It was initiated with an aim to handle natural calamities like an earthquake which leaves scores of people homeless.
 
This technology combines conventional automation and advanced approach to building three-dimensional objects that allow speedy construction. The materials are ejected in a way that offers construction without any surplus, sound, dust or harmful emission. Thus, the entire process is environmental-friendly and sustainable. 

Besides, in a developing country like India, it is the most viable option as it reduces costs of the construction and increased the construction speed. In addition, this automation technology results in fewer injuries to labourers, who work on construction sites. Thus, the process proves to be a safer option for both labourers and the environment.  

Why should we use contour crafting in building construction?

1. If we compare contour crafting process over traditional construction methods, we can determine there is a huge cost advantage.
   Firstly, the use of contour crafting in building construction can remove the need for companies to pay industry labourers. 
   Secondly, the materials for building homes can be prepared on-site. This is quite unlike to the traditional methods that involves transportation of materials to construction sites. 
   Apart from this cost effectiveness, the CC process have the superior surface finish that is appreciated and the significantly boosted the speed of fabrication.
   ·         It reduces energy bills
   ·         Enhance comfort and productivity
   ·   Provide healthier environments in residential homes and commercial buildings as well
   If adopted, the CC process can speed up the construction process. It also empowers architects, structural engineers, contractors and developers to do their jobs better, while achieving greater precision, productivity and cost management.