3D printing \u2013 A fit for construction?<\/h2>\n![](\"https:\/\/3dprintingindustry.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Betonprinter_TUe_fietsbrugGemert-1.jpg\")
The TU Eindhoven concrete 3D printer printing the bridge. Photo via De Ingenieur.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThis technology provides a wide range of application across industries with some of its most significant benefits to the construction industry listed below:<\/p>\n
\n- Implementation of Sophisticated designs:<\/span>
\nThe technology also almost enables limitless freedom of design –\u00a0 simplified production of complex shapes and sizes could generate increased satisfaction in the construction of beautiful architectural designs.<\/li>\n- Faster construction process:<\/span>
\nPrototyping of 3D printing during construction has been proven to cut construction time drastically. For example, Researchers from the Additive Manufacturing (AM.NUS) at the National University of Singapore have developed a novel toilet unit design that can be 3D printed in under five hours, which currently takes a day to build manually[v]<\/a>.<\/li>\n- Reduced cost of the overall construction project:<\/span>
\nThe new toilet unit design by the AM.NUS Construction 3D Printing Programme has been recorded to deliver 25% cost savings compared to conventional construction method[vi]<\/a>.<\/li>\n- Deliver on sustainable construction goals:<\/span>
\nFirst, 3D printing allows for the use of less material during construction \u2013 causing less harm to the environment. This technology could also enable the use of environmentally friendly materials to be printed further reducing the harmful effect of this industry.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nAdditive manufacturing offers better overall efficiency as compared to the traditional manufacturing processes. As a result, the technology is expected to expand exponentially in the coming years in the construction sector. This will be highly beneficial in emerging markets like African countries battling with the stress of providing adequate infrastructure for a growing population[vii]<\/a>.<\/p>\nHow Eindhoven University of Technology (TU Eindhoven) is fostering the use of additive manufacturing to combat infrastructure issues across the Netherlands.<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nThough the 3D printing business is still a niche market, there has been a rise in the number of specialized organizations focus prototyping solutions for construction players[viii]<\/a>. One prominent example of this organization is the Eindhoven University of Technology. Their strategy has been to develop the additive manufacturing techniques in response to the increasing labor cost across Europe and partner with construction giants to deliver large-scale proof of concept.<\/p>\nBuilding the world’s first 3D-printed bridge<\/span><\/em><\/p>\nTU Eindhoven recently collaborated with Royal BAM Group, a Dutch general contractor to complete the World\u2019s first 3D printed bicycle bridge in Holland. The bridge is 8 meters long and 3.5 meters wide with 1 cm layers of concrete. Located in the small town of Gemert, just outside Eindhoven, the bridge was opened Oct 2017.<\/p>\n
This technology provides a wide range of application across industries with some of its most significant benefits to the construction industry listed below:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Implementation of Sophisticated designs:<\/span>
\nThe technology also almost enables limitless freedom of design –\u00a0 simplified production of complex shapes and sizes could generate increased satisfaction in the construction of beautiful architectural designs.<\/li>\n- Faster construction process:<\/span>
\nPrototyping of 3D printing during construction has been proven to cut construction time drastically. For example, Researchers from the Additive Manufacturing (AM.NUS) at the National University of Singapore have developed a novel toilet unit design that can be 3D printed in under five hours, which currently takes a day to build manually[v]<\/a>.<\/li>\n- Reduced cost of the overall construction project:<\/span>
\nThe new toilet unit design by the AM.NUS Construction 3D Printing Programme has been recorded to deliver 25% cost savings compared to conventional construction method[vi]<\/a>.<\/li>\n- Deliver on sustainable construction goals:<\/span>
\nFirst, 3D printing allows for the use of less material during construction \u2013 causing less harm to the environment. This technology could also enable the use of environmentally friendly materials to be printed further reducing the harmful effect of this industry.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nAdditive manufacturing offers better overall efficiency as compared to the traditional manufacturing processes. As a result, the technology is expected to expand exponentially in the coming years in the construction sector. This will be highly beneficial in emerging markets like African countries battling with the stress of providing adequate infrastructure for a growing population[vii]<\/a>.<\/p>\n
How Eindhoven University of Technology (TU Eindhoven) is fostering the use of additive manufacturing to combat infrastructure issues across the Netherlands.<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
Though the 3D printing business is still a niche market, there has been a rise in the number of specialized organizations focus prototyping solutions for construction players[viii]<\/a>. One prominent example of this organization is the Eindhoven University of Technology. Their strategy has been to develop the additive manufacturing techniques in response to the increasing labor cost across Europe and partner with construction giants to deliver large-scale proof of concept.<\/p>\n
Building the world’s first 3D-printed bridge<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n
TU Eindhoven recently collaborated with Royal BAM Group, a Dutch general contractor to complete the World\u2019s first 3D printed bicycle bridge in Holland. The bridge is 8 meters long and 3.5 meters wide with 1 cm layers of concrete. Located in the small town of Gemert, just outside Eindhoven, the bridge was opened Oct 2017.<\/p>\n
- Faster construction process:<\/span>