Mar.16, 2012
Modern Architecture is demanding new developments in construction manufacturing technology, a team at Loughborough University has been working on a 3D concrete printing project that could allow full scale building components to be 3D printed on-site to any design. Named Freeform Construction, the project gives architects a tremendous degree of design freedom and to industry it reduces waste and CO2 emissions compared to a conventional concrete form building.
In the process, concrete is deposited in layers very precisely from computer-generated instructions. Richard Buswell, a principal investigator on the project, said, "Anything is possible. We are working with a prototype, but within five years - with money and desire - there's no limit to what could be printed."
In 2010 a one-tonne reinforced concrete bench has been printed and a year later a two square meter "S"-curved panel is exhibited in the Building Centre.
This project was funded by EPSRC through the Innovative Manufacturing and Construction Research Centre at Loughborough University. Hyundai Engineering and Construction, Foster and Partners, and Buro Happold have been brought together as industrial partners to evaluate the commercial viability of the project.
Right now the project is developing new additive manufacturing processes capable of producing components in a build volume of up to 2m x 2.5m x 5m.
According to constructiondigital report, currently the team is moving the system from 3-axis gantry to 7-axis robotic arm in order to maximize the printing quality, speed and size. A second generation printing system is under development, and the team is confident that there is a bright future for this new wave of construction technologies.
Posted in 3D printing Technology
Maybe you also like:
- Using 3D Printing to create small business
- 3D Systems CEO discusses 3D printing technology on CNBC
- Adrian Bowyer's new progress in multi-color 3D printing
- Founder of Reprap & GroAction discusses the future of 3D printing
- 3D printing goes the same way as digital image printing
- Dutch designer 3D prints Endless Chairs from melted fridges
- Knowledge sharing and not sharing - creative spaces open and 3D printing lab shuts down
- Converting your existing CNC machine to a 3D printer
- Stratasys adds soluble support material for Polycarbonate
- Dissolvable support material used for 3D printing gearbox and Hilbert Cube
- The future of 3D printing - Cube and Replicator makers' joint interview by CNET TV
- Lisa Harouni: what makes 3D printing so cool
- Michael Weinberg: It Will Be Awesome if They Don't Screw it Up
Is it possible to put steel reinforcement on it?
3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
