Modular building panels with building services

Abstract

A manufacturing system for modular building panels includes a building information modeling (BIM) system that generates specifications for frame members including cutout locations and determines lengths for building services. A roll forming machine creates fabricated frame members with cutouts according to the specifications, where the roll forming machine may include stations that create cutouts based on data translated directly from BIM building service features. Modular panels assembled using the fabricated frame members include building services cut to the determined lengths and routed through the cutouts. The building services may be flexible or rigid, and the modular panels may be open on at least one side for inspection. The BIM system may determine building service lengths based on routing paths through multiple modular panels and may define connection points between modular panels where building services cross between panels.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A manufacturing system for modular building panels comprising:
 a building information modeling (BIM) system that:
 generates specifications for frame members including cutout locations, and 
 determines lengths for building services; 
   a roll forming machine that creates fabricated frame members with cutouts according to the specifications;   where modular panels assembled using the fabricated frame members include building services cut to the determined lengths and routed through the cutouts.   
     
     
         22 . The manufacturing system of  claim 21 , where the BIM system determines the building service lengths based on routing paths through the modular panels. 
     
     
         23 . The manufacturing system of  claim 21 , where the BIM system maintains an electronic model representing a building. 
     
     
         24 . The manufacturing system of  claim 21 , where the modular panels are open on at least one side for visual inspection. 
     
     
         25 . The manufacturing system of  claim 21 , where the BIM system models building services routing through multiple connected modular panels. 
     
     
         26 . The manufacturing system of  claim 21 , where each installed building service length is long enough to extend beyond an edge of its respective modular panel so as to enable connection with building services in another panel. 
     
     
         27 . The manufacturing system of  claim 21 , where the building services are flexible building services. 
     
     
         28 . The manufacturing system of  claim 21 , where the roll forming machine includes stations with stamps that create cutouts based on data translated directly from BIM building service features. 
     
     
         29 . A modular building panel system comprising:
 a building information modeling (BIM) system that:
 generates specifications for frame members including cutout locations, and 
 determines lengths for building services; 
   where modular panels assembled using frame members fabricated according to the specifications include building services cut to the determined lengths and routed through cutouts in the frame members.   
     
     
         30 . The modular building panel system of  claim 29 , where the BIM system determines the building service lengths based on routing paths through the modular panels. 
     
     
         31 . The modular building panel system of  claim 29 , where the roll forming machine includes stations with stamps that create cutouts based on data translated directly from BIM building service features. 
     
     
         32 . The modular building panel system of  claim 29 , where the building services are flexible building services and they are wound up within their respective modular panels for transportation. 
     
     
         33 . The modular building panel system of  claim 29 , where the building services are pre-connected at one end within their respective modular panels. 
     
     
         34 . The modular building panel system of  claim 29 , where the modular panels include predetermined connection points for joining building services between panels. 
     
     
         35 . The modular building panel system of  claim 34 , where the connection points join building services between adjacent panels. 
     
     
         36 . The modular building panel system of  claim 29 , where the BIM system defines connection points between modular panels where building services cross between panels. 
     
     
         37 . A modular panel manufacturing system comprising:
 a building information modeling (BIM) system that:
 generates specifications for frame members including cutout locations, and 
 determines lengths for flexible building services; 
   where a fabricated modular panel includes:
 a fabricated frame member with cutouts created according to the specifications, and 
 a flexible building service within the panel and having:
 a length matching the determined length, and 
 a connection at a first point in the panel. 
 
   
     
     
         38 . The modular panel manufacturing system of  claim 37 , where the BIM system determines the building service lengths based on routing paths through multiple modular panels. 
     
     
         39 . The modular panel manufacturing system of  claim 37 , where the modular panel is open on at least one side for visual inspection. 
     
     
         40 . The modular panel manufacturing system of  claim 37 , where the roll forming machine includes stations with stamps that create cutouts based on data translated directly from BIM building service features.