Mobile steel house-frame factory ready for disaster
relief
16/10/09
A completely self-contained mobile steel frame fabrication factory could be a
solution to emergency relief and sustainable reconstruction following natural
disasters.
FRAMECAD’s™ Mobile Factory will be unveiled at the Steel Frame Building Expo at
Yarraville in Melbourne next week from October 19-23.
Housed in a modified 20 foot (6.1m) shipping container, the FRAMECAD™ Mobile
Factory can be airlifted into virtually any location and made operational within 24
hours.
With its own diesel generator and computer-operated steel frame fabricating
machine, the Mobile Factory can manufacture precision engineered framing at a
rate of 700 metres per hour, allowing construction of structures such as hospitals
relief centres and homes to begin immediately and proceed quickly.
FRAMECAD™ Global Marketing Manager, Ms Natasha Urlich, says that while the
speed at which the Mobile Factory can be deployed is an important advantage,
there are many other benefits, particularly in remote areas and less developed
countries.
“There is a seriously unfilled need for the manufacturing of pre-engineered
structures that can be produced, assembled and maintained by the local labour
force - even where skill levels are low and there is no reliable infrastructure.
“Production is computer controlled and every piece of framing produced is
numbered and coded so it can be easily assembled on site.
Ms Urlich said the Mobile Factory was originally designed for commercial building
companies wanting to build multiple homes in large-scale developments.
“However recent events such as the tsunami in Samoa and Tonga and the
earthquake in Indonesia have highlighted the potential for the Mobile Factory to
assist in disaster relief. A major need in these crises is for housing. Mobile Factory
fast tracks the establishment of housing via rapid deployment; rapid start-up;
and low skill level support requirements.
“FRAMECAD™ is talking to various aid and relief organisations to see how we can
work together.”
Background:
The FRAMECAD™ Mobile Factory, which was developed and
manufactured in New Zealand, will be unveiled in Melbourne next week at a Steel
Frame Building Expo at
Yarraville from October 19-23. There will be two
presentations each day at 10:00am and 5:30pm
The Expo is open to anyone associated with the building industry and will be held
at Denim Park, 341 Francis Street, Yarraville in Melbourne.
More information: Those interested in attending should contact Peter Blythe at
peterb@framecad.com or at +61 419 101 639.
Media: David Park parkyoung 0418 159-231 or media@parkyoung.com.au
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