Robots 3D Printing Houses and what it means for the construction industry

Robots 3D Printing Houses , have you ever heard of such a thing? It would seem that 3D printing is making the impossible, possible. While this might feel like a concept of the future, in reality the future is here. Now.

Since its invention 20 years ago, 3D printing has been used to innovate and expand the possibilities of medicine, fashion, automotive and now construction. In construction, 3D printed structures are the new trend and are giving builders the opportunity to cut cost, reduce waste and reduce project delivery time.

3D printing is the process of creating 3-dimensional objects from digital sketches. Beyond time and cost saving, this opens the doors for builders, architects and engineers to produce never-before seen structures.

How 3D printing is changing the construction industry

Only a few years ago the thought of 3D-printed buildings and homes was a little absurd. However, the first fully 3D-printed home was completed in just 45 hours in Milan last year (2018).  Yes, LAST YEAR!

The speed and accuracy of this build goes to show the value that 3D printing can offer to the construction industry. Cutting down time from design through to build, robots are programmed to operate in an energy-efficient and timely manner. Not to mention the design possibilities that this new modality brings to the table.

From where we sit, commercial builders will the biggest beneficiaries of 3D printing. While current software can save time in commercial construction projects, nothing on the market can simplify the list of materials, processes and workflows needed to bring the project to completion like 3D printing does.

Simply put, 3D printing will revolutionise the construction industry. 3D printed materials can be produced in-house and at a much lower cost to traditionally sourced materials. Builders also have many more options which plays an important role in offering clients innovative projects that push the boundaries of design. If that’s not a point of difference, we don’t know what is!

The benefits of 3D printed structures

1. Reduce waste

Imagine being able to design and execute an entire floor with no concrete, steel, or other material waste. 3D printing offers never before seen accuracy which translates to little to no wastage during the construction project.

In a world where construction and civil industry is in hot water over their perceived environmental impact. Proven environmentally sustainable practices are the answer to shifting world views and 3D printing will play a huge role in achieving this perception shift.

2. Innovative design

3D printed structures begin with a design sketch. These sketches and the ease of printing create an expansive realm of possibilities which will see the boundaries of design pushed to extreme. This begs the question, what will the home of the future look like?

3. Faster construction times

In terms of money in the back pocket, the pace in which 3D printed structures are created will categorically turn construction on its head. The video above is proof enough of that. 3D printed structures can be produced in a fraction of the time that regular building practices offer which means, those will this technology, can take on more projects in the same time WHILE reducing operational costs. Let us put it this way, you’re reducing overhead expenses while increasing productivity in the same 24 hours you had yesterday…

Robots and 3D printing are the future of commercial construction and dare we say it, residential construction too. Embracing digital technology is no longer a choice, it’s a must if you want to stay current and aligned to the future of our industry.