#3d print construction

[solarpunkbusiness]

Swiss researchers develop robotic additive manufacturing method that uses earth-based materials—and not cement

Researchers at ETH Zurich, a university in Switzerland, have developed a new robotic additive manufacturing method to help make the construction industry more sustainable. Unlike concrete 3D printing, the process does not require cement.

According to a press statement from ETH Zurich, the robotic printing process, called impact printing, uses cheap, abundant, and low-carbon earth-based materials such as clay or excavated earth. Currently, the robotic additive manufacturing method uses a mix of excavated materials, silt, and clay. Most of the custom material is common waste product sourced locally from Eberhard Unternehmungen, a Swiss construction company. In the future, the process could use other materials.

With ETH Zurich’s method, a robot deposits material from above, gradually building a wall. On impact, the pieces of material bond together, with minimal additives. Whereas concrete 3D printing creates layers, ETH Zurich’s method extrudes and drops the material one bit at a time at velocities of up to 10 meters per second. The fast speed allows the material to bond quickly.

ETH Zurich’s process can build full-scale, freeform structures, including one- or two-story walls and columns. The printing tool has been used to build structures as tall as almost 10 feet. The process results in walls with a bumpy texture, but robotic surface finishing methods can achieve a smoother finish.

The custom printing tool can be integrated with multiple robotic platforms. As a result, the tool can build walls in both offsite facilities and onsite construction projects. At ETH Zurich’s Robotic Fabrication Laboratory, the tool has been integrated with a high-payload gantry system. The hardware can be mounted on an autonomous legged excavator to build walls on sites with variable terrain.

ETH Zurich says it aims to increase the cost competitiveness of sustainable building materials through efficient and automated production.

[uglyandtraveling]

Discovering Little Canada in Toronto: A Tiny World of Big Adventures!

Explore Little Canada in Toronto! Discover iconic landmarks, stunning miniatures, and interactive fun in this unique Canadian attraction. A must-visit gem!

[cognitivejustice]

In late 2022, an initiative between the University of Maine and local nonprofit Penquis unveiled its prototype — BioHome3D, the first 100-percent recyclable house. Now, the pioneering project is working toward completing its first livable housing complex. It will be fully bio-based, meaning all materials will be derived from living organisms such as plants and other renewable agricultural, marine and forestry materials. 

a neighborhood of 600-square-foot, 3D-printed, bio-based houses crafted from materials like wood fibers and bioresins. The aim: a complex of 100-percent recyclable buildings that will provide homes to those experiencing houselessness.

[maniakminis]

I bought a new brand of 3D Printer filament for my Ender 3, now I'm just looking over and watching my printer like an old man watches a construction site.

[reasonsforhope]

"In the far western desert of Texas, a striking 3D-printed hotel with Swedish style will take shape over the coming years to present both the beauty and savings of 3D printing to the country and the world.

The architecture is handled by Swedish design architect Bjarke Ingels, while the printers will be supplied by Austin-based 3D printing company ICON, that [has] really taken the technology to the next level with 3D-printed batteries and whole neighborhoods besides.

The two are teaming up to transform the El Cosmico hotel/campground in Marfa, Texas, into a 62-acre remote hotel with an infinity pool, art exhibition hall, outdoor bathhouse, and outdoor kitchen, all designed as an homage to both the desert surroundings and the cosmic show on display in the night sky above.

The local West Texas earth is being added to the 3D printing cement mixture to ensure the luxury cabins blend in with their surroundings.

“The promise of 3D printing is that the printer doesn’t care how complex the design is, if it uses organic curvature, dome-like shapes, or hyperbolic paraboloids,” Ingels, an early investor in Icon and a frequent design collaborator on its 3D-printed projects, told AD.

“All it cares about is how long it takes to print and how much material [it is] going to deploy, so you can make a square box or a beautiful domed house at the same cost.”

That cost can be around 30% less than traditional methods, as well as 350% stronger depending on the size and scope of the project.

The hotel rooms will all feature skylights to allow unobstructed viewing of the night sky, and expansive views of the Davis Mountains. Just next door is Big Bend National Park, one of the largest in the Lower 48, and a paradise of desert exploration.

El Cosmico “2.0.” is predicted to begin construction in 2024."

-via Good News Network, 3/27/23

[mathart]

[enddaysengine]

Scrabbling Ribcage (Model)

Apparently I'm back a little bit early. Jumped into Blender and TinkerCAD for the first time in a long while to make another Pathfinder model! I'm rather quite pleased with how it came out!

If you want to mess around with it yourself or want to take a shot at 3D printing it, you can find the files on Patreon and Thingiverse.

[roxysmini]

Damnit... is my head too small, or my neck too big ?? It looks strange from the sides and some angles, but good from the front and other angles...

Would hair help with proportions ??? I'm lost.

Feat an old pair of gold eyes I made. Not his final ones, but good enough for now.

[agentfascinateur]

The ABCs of getting Palestinians set up again

Supportive countries should be looking at these key products to address urgent needs:

• Rubble shredding machines to level the terrain and reuse the concrete:

• Off-grid prefab housing so they occupy the ground and have shelter and power:

• Kits to convert solar panels to power:

Next:

• 3D printing machines, for everything from buildings to prosthetics

• Public ovens:

• Public baths:

[fdg-africa]

Innovative Building Techniques Revolutionizing Construction in Rwanda

The construction sector in Rwanda is evolving rapidly, driven by a combination of new technologies, innovative building techniques, and a growing demand for sustainable infrastructure. As Kigali and other cities expand, the need for modern, efficient, and environmentally conscious construction has never been higher. This is where FDG Africa steps in, offering groundbreaking solutions that not…

[jcmarchi]

How good old mud can lower building costs

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/how-good-old-mud-can-lower-building-costs/

How good old mud can lower building costs

Buildings cost a lot these days. But when concrete buildings are being constructed, there’s another material that can make them less expensive: mud.

MIT researchers have developed a method to use lightly treated mud, including soil from a building site, as the “formwork” molds into which concrete is poured. The technique deploys 3D printing and can replace the more costly method of building elaborate wood formworks for concrete construction.

“What we’ve demonstrated is that we can essentially take the ground we’re standing on, or waste soil from a construction site, and transform it into accurate, highly complex, and flexible formwork for customized concrete structures,” says Sandy Curth, a PhD candidate in MIT’s Department of Architecture who has helped spearhead the project.

The approach could help concrete-based construction take place more quickly and efficiently. It could also reduce costs and carbon emissions.

“It has the potential for immediate impact and doesn’t require changing the nature of the construction industry,” says Curth, who doubles as director of the Programmable Mud Initiative.

Curth has co-authored multiple papers about the method, most recently, “EarthWorks: Zero waste 3D printed earthen formwork for shape-optimized, reinforced concrete construction,” published in the journal Construction and Building Materials. Curth wrote that paper with nine co-authors, including Natalie Pearl, Emily Wissemann, Tim Cousin, Latifa Alkhayat, Vincent Jackow, Keith Lee, and Oliver Moldow, all MIT students; and Mohamed Ismail of the University of Virginia.

The paper’s final two co-authors are Lawrence Sass, professor and chair of the Computation Group in MIT’s Department of Architecture, and Caitlin Mueller, an associate professor at MIT in the Department of Architecture and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Sass is Curth’s graduate advisor.

Building a structure once, not twice

Constructing wooden formwork for a building is costly and time-consuming. There is saying in the industry that concrete structures have to be built twice — once through the wooden formwork, then again in the concrete poured into the forms.

Using soil for the formwork could change that process. While it might seem like an unusual material compared to the solidity of wooden formwork, soil is firm enough to handle poured concrete. The EarthWorks method, as its known, introduces some additive materials, such as straw, and a wax-like coating for the soil material to prevent any water from draining out of the concrete. Using large-scale 3D printing, the researchers can take soil from a construction site and print it into a custom-designed formwork shape.

“What we’ve done is make a system where we are using what is largely straightforward, large-scale 3D printing technology, and making it highly functional for the material,” Curth says. “We found a way to make formwork that is infinitely recyclable. It’s just dirt.”

Beyond cost and ease of acquiring the materials, the method offers at least two other interrelated advantages. One is environmental: Concrete construction accounts for as much as 8 percent of global carbon emissions, and this approach supports substantial emissions reductions, both through the formwork material itself and the ease of shaping the resulting concrete to only use what is structurally required. Using a method called shape optimization, developed for reinforced concrete in previous research by Ismail and Mueller, it is possible to reduce the carbon emissions of concrete structural frames by more than 50 percent.  

“The EarthWorks technique brings these complex, optimized structures much closer to built reality by offering a low-cost, low-carbon fabrication technique for formwork that can be deployed anywhere in the world,” Mueller says.

“It’s an enabling technology to make reinforced concrete buildings much, much more materially efficient, which has a direct impact on global carbon emissions,” Curth adds.

More generally, the EarthWorks method allows architects and engineers to create customized concrete shapes more easily, due to the flexibility of the formwork material. It is easier to cast concrete in an unusual shape when molding it with soil, not wood.

“What’s cool here is we’re able to make shape-optimized building elements for the same amount of time and energy it would take to make rectilinear building elements,” Curth says.

Group project

As Curth notes, the projects developed by the Programmable Mud group are highly collaborative. He emphasizes the roles played by both Sass, a leader in using computation to help develop low-cost housing, and Mueller, whose work also deploys new computational methods to assess innovative structural ideas in architecture.

“Concrete is a wonderful material when it is used thoughtfully and efficiently, which is inherently connected to how it is shaped,” Mueller says. “However, the minimal forms that emerge from optimization are at odds with conventional construction logics. It is very exciting to advance a technique that subverts this supposed tradeoff, showing that performance-driven complexity can be achieved with low carbon emissions and low cost.”

While finishing his doctorate at MIT, Curth has also founded a firm, FORMA Systems, through which he hopes to take the EarthWorks method into the construction industry. Using this approach does mean builders would need to have a large 3D printer on-site. However, they would also save significantly on materials costs, he says.

Further in the future, Curth envisions a time when the method could be used not just for formworks, but to construct templates for, say, two-story residential building made entirely out of earth. Of course, some parts of the world, including the U.S., extensively use adobe architecture already, but the idea here would be to systematize the production of such homes and make them inexpensive in the process.

In either case, Curth says, as formwork for concrete or by itself, we now have new ways to apply soil to construction.

“People have built with earth for as long as we’ve had buildings, but given contemporary demands for urban concrete buildings, this approach basically decouples cost from complexity,” Curth says. “I guarantee you we can start to make higher-performance buildings for less money.”

The project  was supported by the Sidara Urban Research Seed Fund administered by MIT’s Leventhal Center for Advanced Urbanism.

[arc3d]

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN LOOKING FOR A 3D PRINTING WEBSITE

Introduction  

In the rapidly evolving world of design and construction, 3D printing has surfaced as a transformative technology, particularly in architectural maquettes and 3D modeling for construction. As metropolises like Abu Dhabi continue to expand with innovative structures, the demand for precise, high-quality 3D published models has flooded. opting for the right 3D printing website is pivotal for professionals seeking to rephrase their digital designs into real prototypes. Whether it's for creating detailed architectural maquettes or functional construction elements, a dependable 3D printing service can significantly impact the success of a design. Let's explore crucial considerations to ensure you choose the most appropriate 3D printing website to meet your design’s specific requirements, concentrating on aspects like material selection, printing quality, cost, turnaround time, and the role of client support offered. 

 Pointers to Contemplate When Looking for a 3D Printing Website - 

 1. Understanding Your Design Needs  

 Before diving into the selection process, it's essential to have a clear understanding of your design conditions. 3D printing serves different endeavours, from Architectural Maquette and construction factors to jewellery and medical bias. Knowing whether you need a detailed, small-scale model or a larger, operational prototype will guide your decision. Different websites may specialize in different types of 3D printing, so align your design’s requirements with the service’s expertise. 

2. Material Options and Quality  

One of the most crucial aspects of 3D printing is the selection of accoutrements. For architectural maquettes, accoutrements that mimic the texture and colour of the real construction materials are frequently preferred. Websites that offer a wide range of material choices allow for more flexibility in achieving the asked aesthetic and practical properties. also, the quality of these accoutrements plays a vital part in the final design, impacting the durability, strength, and detail of the printed model. 

 3. Printing Technology and Precision  

Not all 3D printing technologies are produced equal. The technology used can greatly affect the perfection, face finish, and strength of the printed object. For illustration, Fused Deposit Modeling( FDM) is generally used for its cost-effectiveness and speed, but it may not give the high resolution needed for detailed architectural maquettes. On the other hand, Stereolithography( SLA) and Selective Ray Sintering( SLS) offer exceptional detail and smooth finishes, making them ideal for intricate designs. Understanding the technology offered by the 3D printing website and its appropriateness for your design is pivotal in ensuring the most excellent possible result. 

4. Customization Capabilities  

Customization is frequently a crucial demand in 3D printing, especially for undertakings that involve unique designs or bespoke factors. Look for websites that offer comprehensive customization options, similar to the capability to choose precise material finishes, colours, and post-processing treatments. This is particularly important for architectural maquettes where accurate representation of textures and finishes can make a significant difference. A good 3D printing website should give a range of customization features that allow you to conform the final product to your exact specifications. 

5. Cost and Value for money 

While cost is always a consideration, it should be counted against the value given. Cheaper services might save money but could lead to lower-quality prints or longer reversal times, which can be harmful to your design’s success. Consider the total cost, including material, technology, customization, and shipping. Some websites may offer reductions for bulk orders or long-term contracts, which can be advantageous for ongoing designs. also, transparent pricing without hidden freights ensures that you can budget accurately for your 3D printing requirements. 

6. Time taken for Delivery  

Time is frequently a critical factor in design operations. The speed at which a 3D printing website can produce and deliver your order is pivotal, particularly for designs with tight deadlines. Some services offer expedited printing and shipping options for an added figure, which can be a lifesaver in time-sensitive situations. still, it's also important to balance speed with quality; rushing a print can occasionally lead to mistakes or faults. ensure that the website can meet your timeline without compromising the quality of the final product. 

7. Client Support and Communication  

Good client support is essential when working with a 3D printing service. Whether you need help with file preparation, material selection, or tracking your order, responsive and knowledgeable client support can make a significant difference. Look for websites that offer multiple communication channels, similar to live chat, phone assistance, and email, and that give prompt responses to inquiries. client support can also be a pivotal factor when dealing with issues similar to print faults or delivery problems, so guarantee the service you choose has a strong prestige in this area. 

 8. Character and Reviews  

In an industry where the final product’s quality can vary significantly between providers, character matters. Looking for a 3D printing website’s character through client reviews, case studies, and other clients can give precious perceptivity to the service’s trustability and the quality of its prints. Pay attention to feedback regarding print quality, client service, and adherence to delivery times. Websites with a strong portfolio of successful designs, particularly in your area of interest like architectural maquettes or 3D modelling for construction, are more likely to meet your prospects. 

9. Post-Processing and Finishing Services  

Post-processing can significantly enhance the quality and appearance of the 3D published models. Whether it’s sanding, painting, or adding other finishes, these services are pivotal for achieving a professional-grade final product. For architectural maquettes, post-processing might involve adding textures, and colours, or indeed integrating the model with other accoutrements. Assure the 3D printing website offers the level of finishing you want and whether these services are performed with perfection and attention to detail. 

11. Environmental Concerns 

 As sustainability becomes increasingly important in all areas, the environmental impact of 3D printing is a consideration worth noting. Some 3D printing websites prioritise eco-friendly practices, similar to using biodegradable accoutrements, reusing waste, and employing energy-effective processes. However, look for services that align with these values, If sustainability is a priority for your design. This is particularly applicable in metropolises like Abu Dhabi, where sustainable construction practices are getting more current. 3D printing abu dhabi is changing the entire industry scenario by allowing for rapid modelling and tailored production resolution.

Conclusion  

Choosing the correct 3D printing website is a pivotal step in guaranteeing the success of your design, whether it involves creating an intricate architectural maquette or producing functional construction elements. By considering factors such as material options, publishing technology, customization capabilities, cost, and client support, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your design’s specific requirements. In dynamic and fleetly growing regions like Abu Dhabi, where innovation in construction is at the front, having access to a dependable and high-quality 3D printing service is more important than ever. Take the time to probe and assess implicit providers, ensuring that they not only meet your current conditions but can also support your future ideas in the innovative world of 3D modelling and printing.

[shashipundir]

Top Emerging Trends in Urban Planning

Urban planning is evolving rapidly to meet the challenges of growing cities and changing needs for sustainable living. From smart cities to green infrastructure, transit-oriented development, and community-focused planning, innovative trends are shaping the future of our urban environments. Learn how these trends are making urban areas more livable and resilient.

Key Highlights:

Smart Cities: Leveraging IoT, AI, and smart grids for efficient urban management.

Green Infrastructure: Promoting green buildings, renewable energy, and water management.

Transit-Oriented Development: Enhancing accessibility and reducing carbon footprints.

Community-Centric Planning: Fostering public participation, inclusivity, and place-making.

Resilience and Disaster Preparedness: Building climate-resilient and disaster-ready cities.

Mixed-Use Developments: Creating vibrant, self-contained communities.

Public Spaces and Urban Greenery: Improving quality of life with parks and green spaces.

Data-Driven Planning: Utilizing urban analytics for better decision-making.

Discover how cities like Pune are implementing these trends to enhance urban greenery and community spaces.

For a detailed look into these emerging trends and their impact on sustainable living, visit our website. You can also read more about sustainable building practices in our article on Net Zero Energy Buildings.

📢 Call to Action: Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media for the latest insights on urban planning and sustainability. Join TheCivilStudies community and ask your questions.

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[afprinted]

The signs are feeling angry