Modscape’s Approach to DfMA
Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) considers the manufacturing operation and efficiency of assembly throughout the design process to create the most efficient product possible.
This intelligent approach to building focuses on the kit of parts that makes up the whole project – minimising and streamlining these parts to enhance the speed, quality and sustainability of the final product.
Modscape effectively optimises the systems and details it uses across the installation stages to make this process simpler and more efficient. These systems are consistently evolving and are a central part of our standard practices.
With over 15 years of experience in the design and manufacture of modular buildings, Modscape is regarded as one of the country’s leading experts in the field.
We continually strive to find the most efficient, sustainable and intelligent way to manufacture buildings by embracing the holistic approach of DfMA.
Advantages of DfMA
SPEED
One of DfMA’s biggest advantages is the speed it brings to a project, reducing construction timelines to as little as nine weeks.
DfMA construction reduces on-site construction assembly time by up to 50% when compared to its traditional counterpart due to the use of standardised material sizes and prefabricated elements/building methods.
The off-site nature of DfMA enables various elements of the project to be completed at the same time and without weather restrictions – further speeding up the project timeline to as little as nine weeks.
In addition, the high level of documentation and commitment to the design early on creates a streamlined transition from the design stage to the construction stage. This speeds up timelines, while also eliminating cost blow-outs.
HIGHER QUALITY
With a minimisation of parts as well as a high level of precision and automation, DfMA results in a higher level of product quality.
The ease of repeatability that comes with DfMA enables greater output and a higher quality finished product.
DfMA products are designed and manufactured to a higher than usual level of precision, resulting in a higher level of quality.
The minimisation of parts results in fewer elements that can fault and fewer variables that can affect quality, while the highly automated and industrialised approach of DfMA enhances quality and consistency. Additionally, the controlled factory environment allows for more stringent quality controls and measures to take place.
SUSTAINABILITY
By engaging a DfMA-led modular manufacturing process, you are building in the most sustainable way possible, cutting project waste by up to 80%.
The use of standardised elements and modules makes the most of materials, minimising cut-offs and creating less waste and emissions, as well as a reduction in water usage.
Meanwhile, the centralised off-site location results in a lowering of carbon emissions – up to 60% – associated with transporting materials and labour.
This highly efficient process and precise use of materials cuts project waste by up to 80%, while the controlled factory environment of modular DfMA makes tracking and improving carbon footprints easier.
SAFETY
Modular DfMA results in less labour overall per project, a 60% reduction in on-site labour and the majority of labour taking place in a controlled factory environment – all improving worker safety.
Modular DfMA improves site safety for workers through its controlled factory environment.
The minimisation of services and materials involved with DfMA projects results in fewer workers on-site and each trade spending less time on the job.
COST SAVINGS
The highly considered nature of DfMA creates client cost savings not only in direct project costs, but also indirectly due to its sped-up timeline.
Through repeated and widespread implementation, DfMA is able to reduce construction and services costs.
The sped-up timeline that DfMA enables can also result in less time renting and/or holding land, creating an end-cost saving.
FIXED PRICE
DfMA’s stringent approach to design and construction results in a fixed price, with every screw, nail and piece of timber accounted for and costed before manufacturing even begins.
The highly resolved and documented design stage that DfMA requires allows a fixed-cost price to be established up-front, without budget blow-outs or additional unforeseen extras being added on during the build stage. At Modscape, thanks to DfMA, we know exactly what we are building and how much it will cost before we begin construction.