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Although the company hasn't revealed how large it can print pieces, based on photographs on its website, they are quite sizeable. A CAD design is used as a template, and the computer uses this to control the extruder arm to lay down the material "much like how a baker might ice a cake," WinSun said. The walls are printed hollow, with a zig-zagging pattern inside to provide reinforcement. This also leaves space for insulation.
This process saves between 30 and 60 percent of construction waste, and can decrease production times by between 50 and 70 percent, and labour costs by between 50 and 80 percent. In all, the villa costs around $161,000 to build.
And, using recycled materials in this way, the buildings decrease the need for quarried stone and other materials -- resulting in a construction method that is both environmentally forward and cost effective.
In time, the company hopes to use its technology on much larger scale constructions, such as bridges and even skyscrapers.
originally posted by: undo
have to question, also, how healthy the construction materials are, for a habitation. could the sun's rays cause chemicals to exude from the materials and premeate the inside of such a structure's breathable atmosphere. is it plastic based? not a good scenario.
originally posted by: lostbook
A company in China has now prinited the world's first entire 5-story apartment building.
using a proprietary 3D printer that uses a mixture of ground construction and industrial waste
originally posted by: TruthxIsxInxThexMist
a reply to: theantediluvian
Looks like 'paper mache'.
I remember using paper with glue to make things way back in the day.
originally posted by: undo
if it's made from glass and concrete, i wonder if there's a way to make it lighter (without plastics) so that it could be used to provide shelters for the homeless. reason i say lighter, is it could then be easily transportable,as homeless people appear to have a problem finding places they can legally make their homesteads at and frequently have to move. make it like lego blocks.
originally posted by: theantediluvian
a reply to: TruthxIsxInxThexMist
There's a house in Rockport, MA that was built out of paper in the 1920s. A more modern (and less permanent) example would be this house made of bales of paper.
That's the technology that will eventually enable us to send robots to build habitats ahead of human explorers.