3D printing : the first bridge soon ?
The first 3D printed bridge is soon to be built in Amsterdam, with unique robots.
Dutch 3D printing research and development firm MX3D announced that they are able to print 3D bridges. The construction of this 7-metre pedestrian bridge, on a canal in Amsterdam, could start in September 2015, and be done by mid-2017. The first full-scale 3D-printed bridge will be built by robots equipped with long arms able to draw 3D steel structures.
Robots that surpass traditional 3D printers
These robotic printers, which heats raw materials to 1500°C, are unique. According to Eva James, spokesperson for MX3D, « these robots are different, because they can print without being limited by construction platform sizes like traditional 3D printers would be ».
Inspired by automobile construction, the "outside of the box" printing method uses these robots, which will move through the canal and slide on each side of the bridge to print their own support structures. « The MX3D printer will create a structure by projecting small quantity of melted steel through a welding tool, placed on a robotic arm », says Joris Laarman, bridge-'s desginer.
A revolutionary bridge construction technique
The material used to build the 3D bridge is a composite steel that hardens is a few seconds : the fabrication will be very quick. The pieces are assembled with a welding gas produced by liquid air, and a smart software developed by Autodesk will make it possible to print complicated metallic forms.
The use of these robots could, in the future, facilitate construction on very high buildings, because it doesn't need scaffoldings : the robot uses the structure it is printing as a support.
Take a look at the clip about this project :
3D printing : the first bridge soon ?
The first 3D printed bridge is soon to be built in Amsterdam, with unique robots.
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