The company that pioneered the concrete rebar-tying robot TyBot has unveiled a new innovation for rebar crews. It’s called IronBot, and it’s the world’s first lifting, carrying and placing concrete rebar robot, says creator Advanced Construction Robotics.
ACR announced at ConExpo this month that IronBot can place up to 5,000 pounds of reinforced-steel bar per hour, relieving workers of the backbreaking labor. It can lay the rebar in 5,000-pound bundles in horizontal or longitudinal positions.
Combining IronBot with TyBot – what ACR calls the “Bot Bundle” – the robots can cut work time in half, the company says. And they can work day or night, rain or shine.
The Bot Bundle was used to complete a pilot project in February for an expanded St. Lucie West Boulevard Bridge over I-95 in St. Lucie County, Florida. A new eastbound bridge is being constructed beside the existing bridge, which will eventually serve as two westbound lanes.
The rebar-installation subcontractor on the project, Shelby Erectors Inc. worked with IronBot and TyBot to reduce the time on the rebar job from 14 to seven days, ACR reports. Check out Advanced Construction Robotics’ video below to see IronBot and TyBot in action:
