ABB Robotics And SAMSUNG E&A Join Forces To Create Automated Construction Factories

• ABB and SAMSUNG E&A to collaborate on automated factories for industrial construction
• ABB robots will automate building of prefabricated modules for industrial construction projects
• Automating key production tasks will support safety and sustainability while boosting productivity and quality

ABB is accelerating its drive to transform the construction industry through robotic automation with the announcement of a new collaboration with SAMSUNG E&A. The collaboration will see ABB robots deployed to enable SAMSUNG E&A’s Smart Shops, building prefabricated modules for construction projects worldwide.

Productivity improvement and sustainability are two of the pressing challenges currently facing the engineering, procurement & construction (EPC) industry. With the construction sector estimated to be responsible for around one-third of the world’s total waste^*, automation provides significant opportunity for improvements by reducing errors during production,” said Craig McDonnell, Managing Director Business Line Industries, ABB Robotics. “Through accurate, flexible and consistent performance, our robots will enable SAMSUNG E&A to use its Smart Shops to increase productivity by producing more parts in less time, improving quality and enhancing sustainability through reduced waste.”

Formerly known as Samsung Engineering, SAMSUNG E&A is a total solutions provider with expertise spanning the energy sector, including transition to renewable sources, oil and gas processing, refinery, petrochemical, environmental, industrial and bio plants. By setting up automated Smart Shops, the company aims to innovate its global supply chain and drive the increased adoption of automation in the construction industry.

The collaboration will enable the unmanned fabrication of pipe components and support structures, relying on ABB’s robots to perform tasks such as cutting, grooving and welding. Next year, a second phase will also see ABB supplying robots for automated rebar assembly.

“With the EPC industry facing growing skill shortages, demand for higher quality and short lead times, the use of robotics for automated heavy duty production tasks such as welding and lifting, provides the ideal solution,” said Bryan (S.Y) Lee, Head of Smart Automation Team from SAMSUNG E&A. “By bringing production into automated factories, our Smart Shops will be able to make EPC project execution more competitive while delivering a positive impact to the pipe and steel structure manufacturing industry.”

The value of the collaboration has not been disclosed.

^*Source: BBC Future Planet – ‘The industry creating a third of the world’s waste’