Over the last 20 years, 3D printing has developed into an efficient method for creating a wide range of functional objects. The use of 3D printing in the construction industry is just beginning to show benefits, but it could soon change the way your firm does business.
The State of 3D Printing in Construction
In 2014, the Chinese construction firm WinSun became one of the first to demonstrate the capabilities of this technology when it created 10 houses by assembling 3D-printed components. In 2015, another Chinese firm, ZhuoDa Group, created multi-story homes with using 3D printing.
The Dutch firms DUS Architects and Ultimaker Ltd. have taken it a step further by developing their own printer, the KamerMaker (Room Maker). This printer creates entire rooms that can be tested for safety and usability, then assembled into a building. The 3D Print Canal House in Amsterdam is the firms’ current project.
New Possibilities in Architecture
The use of 3D printing in the construction industry opens up new design possibilities in terms of both aesthetics and practicality. You’ll be able to modify a building design and add individualized elements simply by changing the design model file.
This technology makes it easier to produce curved concrete components, helping you design more structurally sound buildings, given that curvilinear forms are often stronger than rectangular forms. Unlike conventionally made curved forms, 3D-printed versions can be made with hollow centers, letting you fit essentials such as electrical wiring inside the building’s structural elements.
When you create concrete components using 3D printing, you’ll see less waste than with conventional concrete forming techniques. Any components you don’t need can be recycled, reducing your costs and environmental impact. The potential for building with eco-friendly materials, such as the corn bio-plastic used by the KamerMaker, further mitigates environmental impact.
Printing building components requires less labor than conventional building methods and reduces the risk of injury to your workers. The considerably reduced expense means savings for your firm and greater availability of affordable housing for the public.
To learn more about 3D printing in the construction industry, contact us at Construction Monitor.
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