Abstract: The present disclosure relates to building methods for use in automated construction including a method for use in construction of a building, the method including: (a) laying a plurality of courses of blocks onto a foundation to define: i) walls of a first storey of the building; and, ii) a plurality of hollow formwork columns; (b) inserting reinforcing structure into the hollow formwork columns; and (c) pouring concrete into the hollow formwork columns around the reinforcing structure so as to form concrete columns for supporting a slab of a second storey, wherein the blocks forming the plurality of hollow formwork columns remain part of the building structure as permanent formwork.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an adhesive cartridge for an automated brick laying machine, the adhesive cartridge comprising a bladder for the adhesive, a shell for the bladder, the shell comprising an aperture therethrough, and at least one valve assembly for controlling adhesive flow, the valve assembly comprising a valve body, at least a portion of which extends through the aperture and into the shell. Also disclosed is a method for assembling the adhesive cartridge, a method of filling the adhesive cartridge and an automated bricklaying machine having a bricklaying and adhesive applying head incorporating the adhesive cartridge.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an adhesive application system for an automated brick laying machine, the adhesive application system comprising an adhesive reservoir, an adhesive supply line extending from the reservoir to one or more nozzles configured to dispense adhesive, a first pump (a primary pump) positioned near to the reservoir, at least one further pump (secondary pump) positioned near to the or each of the nozzles, a supply line load cell positioned near to the or each secondary pump, and a control system, wherein in use, the control system controls operation of the primary pump in response to a supply pressure sensed at the supply line load cell. An adhesive applicator and method for controlling an adhesive application system are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical insulation test as well as the production of photovoltaic modules, especially of thin-film photovoltaic modules, provides a current-conducting component disposed on a panel-shaped substrate, which are insulated electrically in the area of the module edge. In order to simplify testing of the insulation of such photovoltaic modules, it is proposed that, during the production of the photovoltaic module, testing of the electrical insulation takes place, for which, through the use of a mechanical contacting device a test voltage is applied between the module edge on the one hand and the electrical connections of the photovoltaic module, which are remote from the module edge, lead to the outside, on the other hand.

Abstract: An electrical insulation test as well as the production of photovoltaic modules, especially of thin-film photovoltaic modules, provides a current-conducting component disposed on a panel-shaped substrate, which are insulated electrically in the area of the module edge. In order to simplify testing of the insulation of such photovoltaic modules, it is proposed that, during the production of the photovoltaic module, testing of the electrical insulation takes place, for which, through the use of a mechanical contacting device a test voltage is applied between the module edge on the one hand and the electrical connections of the photovoltaic module, which are remote from the module edge, lead to the outside, on the other hand.

Abstract: A terminal for use with a muntin bar or cross includes a muntin bar and a terminal plug. The muntin bar has an end and an outer surface. The end of the muntin bar includes a hollow space and an inner wall. The terminal plug is adapted to be inserted into the end of the muntin and includes a flange, a plug body and a longitudinal slot. When installed in the muntin, the flange engages the outer surface of the muntin. The plug body is designed to provide a press fit with the inner wall of the muntin by having at least part of the plug body being pressed against the inner wall of the muntin.

Abstract: A device for installing muntin bars into a frame of a window including a device for accurately positioning the muntin bars within the frame and also for providing an accurate junction between the bars and the frame. The device includes a mounting frame that is inclined with respect to the vertical plane, tie-bars movably supported by the mounting frame for fixing and machining spacer frames of different sizes together with respective muntin bars and an apparatus for arranging and fixing muntin bars within the spacer frame. A method is proposed by which a terminal plug is fixed within one end of a muntin bar. The plug is fixed by screws, clamps or similar type fasteners that are positioned in a program controlled manner using a screwing apparatus or a shooting device that is movably supported relative to the spacer frame.

Abstract: A device for installing muntin bars into a frame of a window including a device for accurately positioning the muntin bars within the frame and also for providing an accurate junction between the bars and the frame. The device includes a mounting frame that is inclined with respect to the vertical plane, tie-bars movably supported by the mounting frame for fixing and machining spacer frames of different sizes together with respective muntin bars and an apparatus for arranging and fixing muntin bars within the spacer frame. A method is proposed by which a terminal plug is fixed within one end of a muntin bar. The plug is fixed by screws, clamps of similar type fasteners that are positioned in a program controlled manner using a screwing apparatus or a shooting device that is movably supported relative to the spacer frame.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a controllable holding and mounting device for use with the construction of an insulated glass window. The mounting device includes a mounting frame and a tie-bar. A positioning laying-on device is connected to the tie-bar and adapted to support a spacer frame for the window. The spacer frame is fixed into position in the mounting device by a distance positioning supporting device that engages the spacer frame and fixes it between the supporting device and the laying-on device. A gripping device is provided that is adapted to support and position a muntin within the spacer frame. A screwing device that is movable relative to the spacer frame is also provided and is capable of driving a screw through the spacer frame and into the muntin to thereby secure the muntin to the spacer frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for installing muntin bars and in particular a muntin grating, i.e. a muntin cross, into a frame, i.e. a spacer frame of an insulated glass window, comprising a device for realizing an accurate graded positioning of the muntin bars or the muntin grating within the spacer frame and also for an accurate junction provided there between. Said device further comprises a rectangular mounting frame having four frame pieces, which frame is inclined with respect to the vertical plane, and tie-bars movably supported by the frame for fixing and machining spacer frames of different sizes together with respective muntin bars, i.e. a respective muntin grating, and an apparatus for arranging and fixing said muntin bars or the muntin grating within the spacer frame of for example an insulated glass window.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a controllable holding and mounting device including a mounting frame and tie-bars movably supported thereon for installing muntin bars or a muntin grating into a spacer frame of an insulated glass window. Positioning and adjusting a spacer frame including said muntin bars or muntin grating as also the fixing tools referred thereto has been carried out manually. This procedure is to be accomplished by means of a holding and mounting device operating automatically and program controlled for saving time and costs and improving the accuracy of manufacture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a terminal plug made out of a plastic material for screwing a muntin bar or a muntin cross to a spacer frame of in particular an insulated glass window, comprising a flange which is to be positioned onto an outer surface of the muntin bar, and a plug body to be fitted into a hollow space of the muntin profile, wherein, when installed into the muntin bar, the plug body provides a press fit by at least a part of its surface pressed against a surface of an inner wall of the muntin bar.