Objective
-At the end of the project a device will be available to tile large areas automatically;
-A separate finishing device will be available.
MECHANISATION OF CERAMIC TILING The consortium under the project 'Mechanisation of Ceramic Tiling' develops in the framework of a CRAFT-research project a system, which enables the mechanisation of ceramic floor tiles at the construction site. The companies and institutes participate in the EU funded project in an international approach with experts in the field of construction and floor technology and mechanical engineering, from Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands. Goal of the project is the development of devices to improve the efficiency of the tiling process from the application of the mortarbed, the installation and finishing of ceramic floor tiles. In addition to the increased production and quality, the improvement of the labour circumstances are key objectives. 1. Motivation Floor covering with ceramic tiles has been applied since about 3,000 years before Christ. Naturally an evaluation took place for the ceramic tile as well as for the materials and the processing. Nevertheless the present technology is still very labour intensive and the quality is very much depending on the craftsmanship of the tiler. The labour circumstances for the installers are very bad and the popularity of the tiler-profession is decreasing. The machine-using rate in floor construction is very limited, so high rationalisation potentials can be utilised. An integral approach becomes necessary to meet the requirements. 2. Opportunities The main emphasis of the project lies in the application of ceramic floor tiles in commercial buildings with a high request on flatness, compressive strength and a long lifetime. Ceramic tiles are a premium choice in the frame of sustainable building and a method to improve the installation can even enlarge the opportunities. 3. Results In a research feasibility the technical and economical aspects were verified. In a small testproject (100 m2), which was selected because of a range of potential obstacles (openings, edges, floor heating, etcetera), the finishing system was tested with a prototype test device. The results were promising. The components for the mechanisation for the concrete screeds as well as for a pick and place device, could be verified according to the present application in similar fields of application (road construction, etcetera).
Fields of science
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CRS - Cooperative research contractsCoordinator
6369 ZG Simpelveld
Netherlands