3D printing is widely known as additive manufacturing. It is a revolutionary technology poised to change the world.
3D printers can effectively assist in the creation of high-quality goods and services. Many industries have adopted this technology for years, from manufacturing to medical care.
But one area where this technology is just starting to take off is the construction industry.
It has gained lots of popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
The engineering designers utilise 3D printing for different construction items to develop architecture like masonry, concrete, and wood.
How Effective is 3D Printing in the Construction Industry?
3D printing is a process where we use a computer-aided design (CAD) file to create an object. The object is then formed by depositing layer after layer of material.
It usually works on plastic or metal. And the deposition will continue until you achieve the desired shape.
This technique is frequently used to print an entire building. Or you can utilise it to develop components for the construction industry.
You need to put all the necessary information to construct something unique.
So, this is how the market currently contributes to manufacturing. The growing popularity of building information modelling (BIM) may encourage 3D printing usage.
Recent Market Research provides all vital insights into global 3D printing. It is widely used in the Worldwide construction market.
We expect that it will grow tenfold during the budget period. Researchers predicted that it will reach a value of US$ 280 million (226 Mn Pounds) by 2027 from a low market price of US$ 29 million (23 Mn Pounds) in 2019.
Utilising 3D printing in the construction of different structures is rapidly increasing. In 2015, the Shanghai-based company Winsun Decoration Design Engineering utilised this technique.
They constructed approximately ten residential homes in a single day. The company disclosed that each house costs 5,000 US dollars (£4,033) to construct.
The Prime Minister of the UAE announced that by the end of 2025, approximately 25% of the city's new buildings would be constructed using 3D printing technology.
- Know More: 3D Printing in South West England
Top 7 Advantages of Introducing 3D Printing in Construction
Benefit #1: Speed Up the Construction Process
There are several advantages of using 3D printing in construction. One of the most significant advantages is its ability to speed up the process.
We estimate that 3D printing could reduce building times by as much as 80%. So, you can build an entire 600-800 square-foot home with this cutting-edge technique.
You need to contribute only 24 hours to this task.
Benefit #2: Zero Material Waste
Compared to traditional building construction methods, 3D printing technology is more advanced. It can reduce material waste significantly.
3D printers use precise designs with exact measurements. So, there is no need for material wastage when using this method for your project.
It will help you to develop a more sustainable and eco-friendly building for the future!
Benefit #3: Reduce Injuries
Thanks to 3D printing, development workers may experience fewer injuries during construction. Concrete constructions are complicated and dangerous processes.
By implementing this cutting-edge digital engineering technique, you can have a better improvement.
Due to the reduced workplace injuries, it becomes helpful for workers. Employers can save time from dealing with paperwork for worker's compensation.
It will motivate the workers to be more organised while performing their duties.
Benefit #4:Cost-effective Solution
The traditional construction methods and processes outweigh the costs of using 3D printers. This digital engineering designer technique requires fewer materials and labour costs.
The process is fully automated, and you can create all components at once. Furthermore, this technology reduces waste.
It allows for precise measurements, which then cut the excess material.
Benefit #5: Contemporary Design
3D printing in Gillingham also offers greater design freedom. It is useful compared to traditional building methods.
This digital engineering process can create intricate shapes and structures. Otherwise, this will be impossible or too costly to build with standard tools and materials.
Top-most construction companies use 3D printers to create exceptional design structures. Their 3D engineering designer builds unique structures according to their clientele's expectations.
Benefit #6:Increased Durability
3D printed structures are much more durable than those made with conventional methods. They are specially built layer-by-layer rather than pieced together from individual components.
This process creates an incredibly solid foundation. It is resistant to wear, tear, corrosion, water damage, insects, etc.
Even there is no risk of misalignment or poor fitting joints between parts. So, there is no chance of leading to structural weaknesses down the line.
Benefit #7: Versatility & Flexibility
One major benefit of using 3D Printing in Construction is its versatility. This method allows you to create complicated structures accurately and quickly.
Even it also grants you full control over every aspect of their design. So, you have complete freedom when deciding what kind of layout you want.
You can determine small details of your construction, from window sizes down to entire floor plans.
Different 3D Printing Technologies Used in Construction Industry
Want to use this advanced digital engineering process in construction? So, it's mandatory to have a glance at the available technologies.
There are currently a few options for utilising 3D printing in the housing industry. Let's have a look.
Robotic Arm Extruders:
One of the most popular 3D printing technologies is Robotic Arm Extruders. This technology is also known as Contour Crafting.
It almost resembles the operation of FDM desktop 3D printers. The rails are fairly arranged so the robotic arms can move during the process.
It can extrude concrete material from the nozzle and construct the house layer by layer. These make 3D printing one of the well-recognised choices for creating XL structures.
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM):
FDM is the most commonly used 3D printing technology in the construction industry. This method involves melting thermoplastic filaments that create objects layer by layer.
The process is ideal for prototyping and small production runs. It has become famous for fast setup times and low costs per unit produced.
But, FDM parts can be prone to warping due to uneven cooling rates between layers. It can cause dimensional inaccuracies when making large objects with complex geometries.
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS):
SLS is another type of 3D printing technology that uses a laser beam to fuse powdered material into solid objects.
The process develops layer by layer on a build platform inside a heated chamber. SLS does not involve the use of any liquids or solvents.
So it produces parts with extremely strong bonds between particles. Thus, resulting in greater durability. Even SLS parts also have relatively good thermal resistance.
It is quite impressive when compared with similar parts made by using injection moulding techniques.
Sand 3D Printing:
Industrial 3D Printing techniques like SLS and Jet Fusion are similar to this. Enrico Dini, an Italian architect, has developed the D-Shape 3D printer.
This digital engineering technology works uniquely. It first spreads a layer of sand powder and then uses a binder to harden the structure's shape.
Metal Technology:
You can use metal technology to construct heavy structures like bridges that can withstand more stress. The reputed Dutch Company MX3D has developed a Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing system.
It is a combination of an Industrial robot with a welding machine. The process uses a 3D printer to create metal structures in 6-axes.
Conclusion
So, we've given you some valuable insights into 3D printing. We provide related information about how this technique has revolutionised the construction industry.
It brings about an array of benefits that have yet to be fully explored. You can have many advantages, ranging from cost savings to increased durability.
So, are you starting up a new construction project? Why not consider trying out these innovative techniques? Look into this digital engineering technology.
There is no doubt that it could bring tremendous value. It not just helps you financially but environmentally too!
Summary:
3D printing is a state-of-art technology. Our construction industry has recently adopted this. It allows architects and builders to create high-quality buildings.
The process takes a fraction of the time and uses less material. Check out this article to learn more about its implementations and benefits.
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