Prefabrication experiments - 489 - 3D Printing - An Onsite Assembly Line

 

Considered for the designed-to-order fabrication of small complex objects in the recent history of additive manufacturing, the technology's translation to building has spawned a large amount of analogous exploration, though mostly linked to marginal prototypes. Precisely depositing a fluid concrete or clay composite layer-over-layer numerically controlled to produce an extruded form is the basic idea of these horizontally textured vertical bearing walls. 

 

Timber beams, steel purlins, or any other type of spanning element can be attached to the walls to cover interior space. Vaulting layers has also been explored and experimented with to produce compressive monomaterial structures. In all cases either a robotic arm, or a gantry type crane carrying a nozzle deposits material according to instructions contained in a 3D model, plotting in x-y directions with the z axis being developed at a relatively slow pace, which allows the material’s adequate consistency to settle and support the next layer. From bus stops to micro dwellings, and even two to three-story collective housing, 3D printing is being promoted as a low-cost alternative to conventional site cast concrete. 

 

The mass-construction archetypes are produced on regular, printed foundations or over a slab on grade. Using these techniques to produce housing implies delivering material and machines on a just-in-time basis using only what is needed, reducing costly and wasteful formwork associated with reinforced concrete construction. 

 

3D printing tehniques and methods are progressing rapidly. Demonstrated for continuous printing of linear objects over a conveyor, the Blackbelt 3d printer is showing what can become an alternative to bearing structures, where beams and other types of dimensional components could be made onsite and then simply bolted together or assembled with mortar in a 3d printed kit-of-parts. Producing complex components can further optimize the technology's use by providing any shape needed to adjust to site conditions. Bringing the required digitally controlled tooling to site points to new potentials in terms of size, scope, and shape as the normal transport criteria that limits sizes and capacities need not apply.

Blackbelt 3D, printing linear objects over a conveyor