Services

Design for Manufacture

Our DfMA expertise is 18 years in the making.

This depth of experience means we understand the suitability of different systems for your specific project, without bias to one particular type.

Why choose DfMA?

Quality: Factory conditions impose greater quality control.

Accuracy: What you see on the drawings is what you get.

Safety: Safer and less disruptive construction sites.

Sustainability: Less waste. Greater efficiency in site logistics.

Speed: Shorter assembly time. Reduced programmes. Increased programme certainty.

Lower assembly cost: Fewer parts. Decreased onsite labour.

Inclusivity: Factory employment creates a more diverse workforce.

What is DfMA?

Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) is an approach that focusses on the ease of manufacture and efficient assembly of buildings and their parts.

Design for Manufacture

Volumetric Modular

Definition

3D modules creating a whole room are manufactured in factory conditions with finished walls, floors, ceilings, fittings and services. They are then transported and assembled on site in completed form.

Construction methods

Timber Frame Volumetric Modules, Light Weight Steel Frame Volumetric Modules, Precast Concrete Volumetric Modules, Hollow Section Volumetric Modules, CLT Volumetric Modules

Other industry terminology

MMC Type 1, Modular, Containerised, Recycled shipping container, Portable accommodation, Industrialised building

Panelised Systems

Definition

Flat panels are produced in factory and assembled on site to produce a 3D structure.

Construction methods

Light Gauge Steel Frame (LGSF), Pre-cast Concrete Panel, Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), Open (Cell) Panel Timber Frame, Closed Panel Timber Frame, Glulam, SIPs, Curtain Walling

Other industry terminology

MMC Type 2, Non volumetric pre-assembly, System build, Stick build system, Flat pack assemblies, Frame systems

Prefab Frames & Cassettes

Definition

Approaches that fall short of being classified as offsite but utilise factory fabricated innovative sub-assemblies or components in with traditional or MMC structural fabric.

Construction methods

Prefabricated foundations, Floors cassettes, Roof cassettes, Pre-assembled roof

Other industry terminology

MMC Type 3, Pre-assembled component, Modular component, Prefabricated component

Pods & Assemblies

Definition

Volumetric pods and assemblies are typically the highly serviced areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, M&E cupboards and risers. They are volumetric but not load-bearing.

Construction methods

Light Steel Frame Pods, Hollow Section Steel Pods, Timber Frame Pods, Pre-cast Concrete Pods, GRP Pods

Other industry terminology

MMC Type 5, Volumetric pre-assembly, Pods, Semi volumetric, Serviced room pods, Prefabricated pods.

Design for Assembly

3D Printing

Definition

Computer controlled sequential layering of materials to create 3D shapes and structures.

Construction methods

Robotic printed concrete wales, Printed steel structure nodes, 3D printed bricks

Other industry terminology

MMC Type 4, Construction 3D printing, Contour crafting, Additive manufacture

Components & Products

Definition

The advancement of traditional building products into system based manufacture and installation. The innovations must lead to improved site quality and reduced labour requirements.

Construction methods

Brick slip systems, Thin joint blockwork, Wiring looms, Permanent insulated concrete formwork, Smart lighting systems

Other industry terminology

MMC Type 6, Product led innovation, Component manufacture, Material innovation, Product systems

Site Processes

Definition

The innovation of the site processes that lead to improved quality, reduced labour requirements and efficiency in productivity. Usually achieved through digital innovation, collaboration and investment in new styles of machinery.

Construction methods

Flying or pop-up factories, 3D point clouds, Digital twinning, Site robotics, Drone surveys + photography, Drone assembly, Augmented Reality, 4D (time)

Other industry terminology

MMC Type 7, Smart construction, Agile construction, Digital construction

Our DfMA timeline

We’ve done it all.

DfMA Projects

Meet your experts

Our clients

McAvoy Modular volumetric
Elements-Europe Modular volumetric
Berkeley Homes Modular volumetric
Unite Modular Systems Modular volumetric
CIMC Container volumetric
Premier Modular Modular volumetric
Lamboo Modular volumetric
ModuleCo Modular volumetric
Space4 Modular volumetric
Baudet UK Pre-assembly volumetric
Walker Modular Pre-assembly volumetric
Eurban Pre-assembly volumetric
Bowmer + Kirkland Panelised
Fusion Building Systems Panelised, Cross Laminated Timber
Metsec Panelised, Cross Laminated Timber
Metek Panelised, Cross Laminated Timber
Knauf Offsite supply chain
Siniat Offsite supply chain
Gebrik Offsite supply chain
Corium Offsite supply chain

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