Why Choose Occam Offsite Manufacturing?
CNC saws and 3D plan data enable us to produce consistent high-quality building components in a fraction of the time. National home builders have a typical construction schedule that spans 90 days or 18 weeks. Occam Off-site components are fitted with all MEP’s. Because more improvements are placed in our framing panels, subsequent MEP work typically completed on-site in 2-3 weeks is incorporated into the framing operations of an Occam Integrated Component Package. The Framing and MEP portion of a typical schedule represents 30-40 days of a 90-day schedule. In other words, a typical 90-day build cycle is reduced to 60 days or less. In-fill development also benefits from off-site component construction. An “In-fill” building can be placed in days or even weeks (depending on size) as opposed to weeks or months, avoiding much of the neighbor and neighborhood disruption associated with on-site construction. The impact associated with deliveries of lumber, plumbing, electrical and HVAC materials as well as not having to provide waste hauling dumpsters is greatly reduced. In an urban or “tight” construction site, this is an enormous benefit. Code officials and agents will also benefit from the inherent quality of off-site manufactured building components.
3-dimensional architectural drawing of a single-family home
High grade & high-quality construction materials required in order to process efficiently
Our CNC & automated assembly equipment requires a higher consistency of true (free from twists and bows), low moisture content materials in order to be processed. Building materials that require protection are kept covered from excessive exposure to weather. Once built, Wall components will be transported and installed to create a “dried-In” structure, preserving the low moisture integrity of the framing far beyond that of traditional on-site or stick framing. A house can be assembled and “dried in” in as few as 2 days. Typical on-site construction schedules leave the in-process structure exposed for as little as 14 days and often more than 30 days. Our components are fitted with all drainage planes, windows and exterior doors so when the assembly is complete, they are fully “Dried-In”.
We also provide all MEP improvements so when we have completed the assembly of the component package and made the final connections and testing of the MEP’s, the structure is ready to be inspected for all framing and “rough MEP” installation approvals and then continue with insulation and final finishes. Final finishing is typically completed by a skilled home building firm (or general contractor) in 45-60 days (+-). This is a 30% reduction to the typical new home building construction cycle. Once completed, the builder can finish the structure to whatever level of finish they are marketing plan dictates, whether rental apartments or luxury bespoke homes. We are also able to execute intricate blocking and substrate attachment points which facilitate the future placement of engineered cladding and roofing products designed to be efficiently installed.
Materials are protected from sun and excessive moisture until needed for fabrication
Because our building components are constructed directly from 3D BIM plan files, all specifications determined by the Architect, Structural Engineer, or governing Building Department (I.B.C. or Local Building Code requirements) are installed to 100% accuracy and fidelity.
Plans are executed to exact engineering details, specifications & requirements with no possibility of unauthorized specification substitutions.
The United States has a severe lack of vocational training. The shortage of younger workers entering the trades creates even more pressure to automate construction processes. Every month the construction industry has an average of 250,000 open jobs available which go unfilled. Our processing equipment is capable of repeatedly creating high quality assembly’s without relying on traditional skilled labor.
Our processes prevent occurrences such as improper fastener/hardware selection, voids in or missing adhesives, improper setting, frequency or spacing of fasteners, unnecessary patching or repairs due to MEP installation and errors, bowed and twisted building materials and generally shoddy workmanship.
The weather has no bearing on our plant operations!
During winter months, traditional on-site construction crews face weather conditions un-conducive to the construction process. Just locating and placing nails in the right positions can be challenging. Wet or very cold conditions make adhesives less effective and, in some cases, they don’t perform at all due to high moisture within the wood framing members. In very cold or hot conditions, field crews are tempted to move quickly, or slowly, or are distracted from their work by the extreme weather conditions of the day.