Masonry Magazine May 2007 Page. 30
TECHNOLOGY
Automation, in general, in the brick industry is the biggest trend and improvement in the last 10 to 15 years," Fabrizio said. Robinson Brick introduced robots into its plant in March 1997.
"Everything used to be done by hand. It was a very labor-intensive operation," said Brent DeFore, president of Streator Brick, Inc., in Streator, III. "Now, human hands don't touch the brick. It's basically all automation."
Robots now handle the bricks during manufacturing for most modern plants. Fully computerized plants typically only require supervision by employees who can ensure the robots are working properly.
"The mason is the first person who touches [the brick]," Palmetto's Rogers added.
Since they have to meet specifications by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the bricks are going to perform well for the architects, designers and masons, and have a more uniform shape and quality, DeFore said.
"Automation and computerization of brick plants has allowed for increased efficiencies in production, as well as greater consistency of quality from brick to brick," Peters said.
"The use of machines and automation has allowed brick manufacturers to provide a more consistent product and create less waste during the manufacturing process."
Better control of the manufacturing process also has resulted in better bricks, manufacturers say.
"The overall quality of bricks over the last 20 years has definitely improved. The quality control of the brick industry is 10 times better than it used to be," said Josh Higgins, principle with Higgins Brick Company in Redondo Beach, Calif., and the fourth generation of his family to work for the company. "Overall, the quality now is very good."
Technology has also impacted aesthetics. Manufacturers can more easily and cost effectively change colors and textures, since they're now added before the firing process, which helps with the design of buildings.