Architects have been using 3D printers to model designs for a few years, but now they can print the building—at least good parts of it—on site in its full size.
By suspending rigging over a building area, the huge 3D ‘D-Shape’ printing system deposits sand followed by an inorganic binding ink. No water is used since the component parts are ‘mixed’ when they meet outside of the inkjet nozzles. Accuracy is within 25 dpi.
Not only is the output size impressive, the 3D printing technology allows previously impractical or impossible forms to be created with relative ease and cost-efficacy. Since the process doesn’t use cement, CO2 emissions are also reduced.
The video above demonstrates how a small-scale 3D printer is used to produce architectural models.
The D-Shape process has the possibility to be much more environmentally friendly because the build material does not need to be made by heating limestone and so would create much less carbon dioxide. Since the build material is just sand plus the inorganic binder it could be much better for the planet too.
(shapeways)
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