​Will Robots Replace Commercial Drywall Installers?

Automation has become increasingly popular in the construction industry over the last few years. Commercial drywall installers use this technology to finish projects quickly and efficiently.

Robotic drywall finishing is now becoming a reality, allowing commercial drywall installers to save time and money while providing a higher-quality product. This new technology can help reduce labor costs, improve safety, and increase productivity in the construction industry.

In this article, we'll discuss how robots fit into contractor workflows and what automation can do for the construction industry as a whole.

Setting The Record Straight

With the advancement of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, there has been much speculation regarding robots replacing humans in various industries. This thought is especially true in the construction industry, where many people are concerned that robots will take over the laborious task of drywall installation. However, the truth is that robots will only assist workers in completing tasks more consistently and safely — they won't replace human workers any time soon.

Facing Labor Shortages With Technology

As the labor shortage continues, robots are emerging as a critical solution. Advanced robotic technology assists human workers in industries where skilled labor is hard. With the help of these robots, businesses can still operate and continue to provide services even when faced with severe labor shortages. 

With a machine that can handle everything from repetitive sanding to tedious finishing, current tapers can stay on the job longer, and new people are attracted to the trade. The machine allows drywall tapers to get more done in less time with improved accuracy and consistency, resulting in better outcomes for everyone involved.

As a result, these machines can also lower expenses and raise efficiency in various ways. The potential robotics applications are endless, from automating mundane tasks to providing specialized care for people who need it most.

Meet Canvas' "Basil" Drywall Finishing Robot

Basil is a semi-autonomous robot that is revolutionizing drywall installation. It promises to provide both Level 5 finishes (which include mudding and sanding) and Level 4 Targeted Spray walls (a mudding-only process), saving contractors time, energy, and money. 

• Level 5 Mode

Basil's Level 5 mode is revolutionizing the drywall finishing industry. It allows you to spray walls with wet fire-resistant tape in one go and then machine sand for a consistently high-quality finish.

One of the significant advantages of Basil is that it minimizes or even eliminates the heavy labor and other difficult working conditions that can cause people to avoid entering the profession or leave earlier than they had planned.

Basil remarkably captures 99.9% of the dust generated when sanding, eliminating messes while reducing the likelihood of musculoskeletal injuries by carrying out most manual sanding work.

• Level 4 Mode

Setting Basil Level 4 Targeted Spray (L4TS) can wet the fire-tape seams on the walls. Once these are dried and sanded, it will take only one coat of joint compound and one dry cycle before you need to sand again. Mudding is just as efficient in Levels 5 and L4TS and requires a single round of application and drying.

The L4TS process has revolutionized how you can deliver safety and quality. Spraying only the seams enables contractors to offer more flexibility in a project's finish level while reducing labor costs and time spent on each project. With this new process, contractors can now quickly meet their client's expectations with ease and efficiency.

Experts Review of Basil

The "Pro Tool Innovation Awards" judges had positive remarks about the Basil System, noting it for its remarkable capabilities.

The machine offers enhanced safety by trapping 99.9% of the dust particles released during sanding operations. It has a telescopic robotic arm reaching up to 17 feet, enabling workers to stay securely on the ground and away from ladders or scaffolding. The Basil system is an excellent way for employers to protect their employees from the risk of injuries due to monotonous and repetitive tasks. Research has shown that it can help lower the injury rate by nearly 25%, reducing the number of tapers injured on the job.

Basil gives incredible finishes with consistent and premium quality. It helps increase productivity and compress the schedules significantly - it can complete a task that may take around seven days through traditional Drywall finishing in just two days.

As the construction industry continues to deal with the need for more skilled hands, Canvas is emerging as an invaluable solution to the problem. This innovative platform connects experienced professionals with construction companies needing skilled labor. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, Canvas can quickly match clients with qualified workers and fill open positions in no time. With its fast and reliable services, Canvas is helping to ensure that the construction industry operates without significant disruptions due to labor shortages.

Basil Training Regimen

Working with a Canvas machine requires proper training and knowledge. Canvas provides comprehensive training to ensure customers have the skills to operate their machines safely and effectively. The training sessions last five days and cover topics such as how to direct the machine, use the software, troubleshoot any issues, and more. With Canvas's extensive training program, customers can rest assured that they can master the machine quickly.

The Human Touch

Although the Basil robot is a great way to save time and money on Drywall jobs, it is imperfect. Quality checks still need to be done by human eyes to identify areas needing touch-ups and adjustments.

Despite the advanced technology, it's still impossible for robots to do everything on their own when installing Drywall. Currently, Canvas claims machines can handle 40% of a project. In the future, their goal is to increase this figure to 70%. Even accounting for the best-case scenario, you must do as much as 30 percent of the work manually. These processes include hanging Drywall, installing Drywall Access Doors and Panels, and taping.

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Different projects have differing requirements, so we also cater to custom sizes and ensure that every product matches your dimensions and specifications. For fast and helpful advice, contact us today at (800) 483-0823!

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