How 3D Printing Is Changing The Industry Overview

In this post, we are discussing 3D printing and how it’s changing the construction industry along with its benefits.

Introduction

3D printing’s general concept and procedure were described in 1945 by Murray Leinster and later in 1971, Johannes F Gottwald patented the liquid metal recorder which was a continuous inkjet metal fabrication. In 1980, two additive methods for fabricating 3-dimensional plastic models were invented by Hideo Kodama with photo-hardening thermoset polymers. This technology began evolving in the 1980s and It was expensive to use technology at that time. This technology became affordable in 2000 to use in various sectors like aerospace engineering, the medical sector, tool manufacturing, electronics, etc. The use of 3D printing in construction began in 2004 when professor Behrokh Khoshnevis attempted to build a 3D-printed wall with this technology.

Its use in construction has become so realistic that companies like the Russian Company Apis Cor built a 3D-printed house in just 24 hrs. It can be used to create an entire building or a component of the building. However, this technology is also used to print smaller-scale, 3D models of the building, before actually building on the site. 3D printing which is also referred to as additive manufacturing (AM) is done through the sequential layering of materials with a process fully controlled by a computer. There are different methods of 3D printing in the construction sector which are mentioned below:

1. Robotic Arm Extruder
2. D-shape 3D-Printer
3. Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAC)

Application or Uses of 3D printing in Construction

There is various application of 3D-Printing in construction which is as follow

1. It can be used to create the components of any building.
2. Can also be used to print the entire building which is time-saving and cost-effective at the same time.
3. This is used for more accurate and faster manufacturing processes.
4. It can be used in dangerous environments where the human workforce may not be suitable.

Advantages of 3D printing in Construction

1. Zero material waste: 3D-printed houses are renowned for producing almost zero material waste.
2. Fast production: 3D-printed houses can complete their work in hours which could have been finished in 2 or 3 weeks by traditional ways.
3. Innovative designs: As the process is completely computer-controlled and sequential layering is used for printing it enables us to build different innovative designs.
4. Durability: 3D-Printed buildings are durable than traditionally built buildings.
5. Cheaper Construction: As it is a quicker way to build so a lot of costs are reduced as labor costs and waste material costs etc. So it becomes a cheaper and affordable technique in construction.
6. Reduced Injury: This technique in construction has become very effective in reducing injury because it requires minimal use of the human workforce at the construction site.
7. New Market opportunity: It has introduced various new market opportunities that were not available previously.
8. Improvement in building’s form: It is renowned for its ability to build atypical designs which are seemingly odd.

Conclusion

In conclusion, 3D printing is changing the way we design and manufacture products across various industries. From healthcare to aerospace, this innovative technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach production, leading to greater efficiency, cost savings, and improved outcomes. While there are still challenges to overcome, such as material limitations and printing speed, the future looks promising for 3D printing. As the technology continues to evolve and become more accessible, we can expect to see even more exciting applications and advancements in the years to come.