3D printing construction market
3D printing is a manufacturing process that creates physical objects based on digital designs. This is achieved with the help of an additive process, where an object is created by a machine that prints various layers of material until the object is completed.
3D printing in construction is also referred to as 'building printing' or 'contour crafting'.
3D printing in the construction industry may help tackle the housing crisis as it can allow 3D printing offers lower labour costs and construction can be completed more quickly. In addition, 3D printing produces little waste and the various wasted raw materials from printing that include failed prints and concrete waste can be recycled. It also helps simplify construction models and plans - the reason being the shapes and structures desired by designers can be printed with high precision.new structures to be created quickly.
Key players operating in the global 3D printing in construction market includes Zhuoda Group, WASP, Urban3D Company, Cazza Construction Company, Apis Cor, WinSun, Belatchew Arkitekter, DUS Architects, Skanska, Fosters+Partners, Lafarge, Carilliom Plc., Balfour Beatty and Sika, among others.
In September 2018, Italy-based WASP unveiled “the infinity 3D printer”, a construction system that is mainly used to print sustainable houses. It is designed to fast-track the development of the technological village of Shamballa. This is basically a WASP project that aims to develop various 3D-printed, environment-friendly houses. WASP also developed the world’s largest 3D printers that can build homes from locally-sourced materials by using wind, solar or hydro power. This in turn enables regions that do not have access to electricity to 3D print eco-friendly structures sourced through local resources.
Urban3D Company was founded to respond to the housing crisis in Brazil. The company is currently (2019) testing various prototypes and aims to provide various solutions to the development of Brazilian shantytowns.
Apis Cor, based in Russia, is also adopting 3D-printing technology and is the first company to develop specialised equipment for 3D printing in construction .This equipment aims to print whole buildings on site.
Companies are also focusing on special robots that are used for 3D printing. For example, Cazza, based in the US, built the Cazza X1, concrete house 3D printer that was mainly designed for disaster prone areas. These structures can withstand severe tornados, earthquakes, and others, so that people in vulnerable areas can be provided with immediate housing facilities.
3D-printed technology is also used to explore space. NASA's 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge aims to examine various technologies to build homes in space, such as on Mars or on the Moon.
3D-printing techniques also find applications in aerospace, defense, automobile, health, and mechanical applications among others, with printing materials specified as required. Advanced materials combined with cutting-edging printing technology and various advanced computer algorithms have made 3D technology very affordable; this in turn is expected to drive the demand for this market.
3D Printing in construction is mainly driven by the need for sustainable, new, smart housing and eco-friendly solutions. The affordability and speed of buildings are other factors driving the Asia-Pacific market. Rising demand for commercial buildings is also expected to drive the market. Asia-Pacific accounts for the largest revenue share in the global market. Growth in the Asia-Pacific region is mainly attributed to the increasing usage of 3D-printing in China. Rapid industrialisation, high population and urbanisation followed by a growth in concern for environmental pollution and human health is expected to boost the market demand for 3D printing in the Asia-Pacific construction sector.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- 3D concrete printer.
- 3D concrete printing market.
- 3D printed bridge.
- 3D Printed Office Dubai.
- 3D printing.
- 3D printing Michelangelo's David in concrete.
- Advanced construction technology.
- Advanced manufacturing.
- At a glance - 3D printing.
- Building information modelling.
- Computer aided manufacturing.
- Offsite manufacturing.
- Printing 3D models of buildings.
- WikiHouse.
Featured articles and news
Heat pump announcements, what homeowners need to know
An 'ultimate guide to heat pumps' from a heating company.
Construction contract awards reach £7.1bn in February
Their highest level in seven months.
The journey to sustainability in heritage
Research is the key to better understanding.
Heritage approaches to adaptation, mitigation and loss.
Bridging the gap between policy, finance and installation.
Development on brownfield land
Definition, background, policy and the latest consultation.
With the Design Framework for Building Services.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Pertinent technical issues, measures and the roles involved.
ECA joins HSE campaign to support mental health
Working Minds’ five simple steps based on risk assessment.
Mental health in the construction industry
Mental health issues in brief with related articles.
Transitional arrangements, Building Control and the BSR.
For pre-October buildings with substantial progress by April.
How to write an inspection and test plan
ITPs for quality control and assurance particular elements.
Why quality counts in domestic ventilation systems
From products, to systems to the installation.
Empowering the Future with CIOB Academy
Lifelong learning, upscaling, and reskilling for the built environment.
Winners of the 2024 ASBP Awards
Project, Product and Initiative according to the 6 pillars.
Comments