Rebar tying robot, TyBot, is getting more experience on a Pennsylvania bridge job. Described as a giant Roomba by a TyBot business development manager, it automatically ties rebar. Even more amazing is that it does not require job specific programming. It simply looks for rebar intersections and then ties them. Assistance from humans is required to set it up, keep wire spools full and to double check its work. Setup is pretty fast though because it runs on screed rails that will already need to be in place for a deck pour. Human workers are also required to tie rebar at deck edges. As a result, the robot is able to tie 85% to 90% of required bridge deck rebar ties. In the areas where it is able to work, TyBot can make ties at a rate of about 1,000 per hour whereas human tie rates max out at 150 per hour. Where production rebar tying is required, the robot can dramatically help productivity. TyBot also does good work as ties that are accessible to the robot are acceptable 99% of the time. The best part of this tool might be the amount of rod buster backs it can save. TyBot won't suffer from lower back pain and can maintain the same production from start to finish. For more details on TyBot, check out the robot's website.
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