3D printing has been making headlines lately, but its influence on the construction industry has yet to be seen. However, as additive processes have improved, their uses in the construction industry have become more viable. The main advantage of using 3D printing in the construction industry is the saving of many production costs due to the reduced waste of materials. This is because a 3D printer, such as robotic arms, uses precisely the amount of material needed.
The production of buildings layer by layer and with lattice structures inside them allows for a considerable reduction in costs. Not only that, but they are also capable of using recycled materials. With topology optimization, it is possible to create even more material-efficient models. This software helps eject unnecessary sections of material from a model without interfering with functionality.
Gantry type 3D printers are a construction of a frame, three gantries and a print head. With the help of such devices, it is possible to print buildings in parts or in full (if they fit under the arch of the printer). The principle of construction 3D printers is the extrusion of a special mixture, layer by layer, according to a given three-dimensional computer model. The company uses a computer-controlled gantry crane with an extruder mounted on it for 3D printing of buildings.
For projects that use 3D printing, construction workers often buy the exact amount of materials they intend to use, which is more cost-effective. The construction industry's march toward automation has recently reached several important milestones, including the creation of the first structures using robotic arms and 3D printing technology. A ready-made combination of cement, filler, plasticizer and other substances is placed in the hopper of the device and supplied to the printhead. While the rise of 3D printing in the construction industry continues, certain aspects of buildings are poised for greater growth than others.
The use of 3D printing methods in creating structural elements made of polymer materials, concrete, and metals is becoming more common. Until laws and regulations are clearly defined, 3D printing is unlikely to leave an excessive footprint on the construction industry. Weather conditions can slow down the traditional construction process, but things can get even worse with 3D printing. Construction 3D printing will affect both the construction phase and the design phase, as new designs are enabled.
The weather already has the potential to slow construction progress, but problems with Mother Nature can be amplified with 3D printing.
