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3D Printing Is Reshaping Construction

“3D printing” is the new buzz word in construction and promises to reshape the future of the industry. It has the potential to save time and money and increase efficiency, but it is also still in its infancy and will require a special skill set from employees.

In addition, 3D construction printing is environmentally friendly because it produces less waste. There is also a decrease in employee errors and an increase in employee productivity. The benefits of this new technology on the construction industry will continue to unfold as it improves and advances.

What 3D Printing Entails
3D printing is not a new concept – it has been around since the 1980s. But in the last ten years the technology has advanced to the point that it has become mainstream in many industries. In construction, this involves the use of a 3D printer attached to an arm that can build either onsite or in a factory that is then assembled later. A software program tells the printer the end product dimensions, and then the printer injects material on a platform according to this input, using materials such as liquid metals, plastics and cement which then cool or dry to the desired structure.

A construction 3D printer is not unlike your typical everyday printer: it is made up of a printer body, nozzles, ink and paper. Its “body” is a metal frame built around a building, its “print head” that is used to spray concrete or other materials is like the nozzle of a typical printer that builds in layers, and the steel cage that is embedded in the ground prior to construction is its “printing paper.”

There are two types of 3D printing building: modular and full building. Modular building is printed off site in a factory and the components are then assembled on site, whereas full building is done entirely on site. 3D printing building can be applied to residential, commercial and industrial construction and promises to be beneficial and also challenging.

The Pros of 3D Printing Building
Reduced Injury
Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of 3D printing building is that it can reduce on the job injuries and thereby down time, particularly when working with concrete. This in turn reduces worker’s compensation claims, saving building companies money.

Lower Construction Costs
3D printing in construction can reduce material wastes because it uses the exact amount of concrete and other materials needed. For example, a residential construction site generates an average of four tons of waste, especially when it comes to concrete. This hurts the environment because cement, the main component of concrete, and other materials traditionally need to be ordered in bulk, creating waste when not used in their entirety.

3D printing, on the other hand, takes the guesswork out of determining the precise amount of construction materials needed for each job. This makes 3D printing building more environmentally friendly.

3D printing also saves on costly mistakes since the computer design can be directly converted into printer instruction, eliminating the need to convert designs into drawings and reducing errors and delays. Designs can also be customized or semi-customized at a lower cost.

Uptick in Speed
Construction jobs that normally take weeks or even months via traditional methods can often be finished in a matter of hours or days when 3D printing building is applied. For example, a 500 square foot single story house only takes 24 hours of printing time to build using 3D printing building. This means that building companies can take on more jobs or move onto new projects sooner, leading to bigger profits.

Lower Labor Costs
While 3D printers can be expensive, the use of 3D printers in construction can lower labor costs, thanks to the possible reduction in injuries and time. Individually, 3D printing building can afford those workers who learn 3D printing skills job security and possibly wage increases.

Unique Building Styles
Since 3D printers are capable of creating unique shapes and designs, this can allow building companies to design and offer more creative and personal construction styles. This means architects can build complex designs that may otherwise be unattainable, too expensive, or too labor intensive. And since 3D printing construction allows builders to bend shapes and make angles, it’s another way of standing out from the crowd of other construction companies.

More Durable
Another cost saving factor in 3D printing construction is that the materials are more durable thanks to how they are made and assembled. This means fewer repairs will need to be made and the buildings will last longer.

Greater Brand Awareness
3D printing building promises greater brand awareness to construction companies because it is a method that reduces waste and therefore it is more environmentally friendly.

New Opportunities
3D printing building can allow many construction companies to venture into markets that have been previously inaccessible. Having a 3D printer can set a company apart from the crowd and allow it to remain relevant in the building market, thus giving construction companies who embrace 3D printing a competitive edge.

The Cons of 3D Printing Construction
Technology Difficulties
Concrete 3D printing technology can be more difficult than ordinary 3D printing technology since making sure that the concrete flows smoothly during printing without clogging can be challenging. Once the concrete has squeezed out from the printer, it must also harden quickly and be strong enough to endure successive layers, as well as attain sufficient bonding between layers.

Workspace Challenges
While 3D printing construction is more environmentally friendly, the open environmental circumstances present their own challenges. For example, environmental dust, humidity, moisture and temperature can affect concrete performance and therefore need to be diligently controlled. This can be tricky when mother nature refuses to cooperate and the 3D printing isn’t carefully monitored.

High Costs of Technology
While 3D printing building has many financial benefits, it’s the upfront costs that often prevent many construction companies from adopting its technological advantages. The equipment is expensive to buy or rent and transporting the huge 3D printers to worksites can be challenging. Also, the upfront purchase price of the printers doesn’t include materials or maintenance, leaving many construction companies grappling with the justification of costs over technological benefits.

Employee Shortages
Currently, skilled traditional construction workers are in high demand, but there is a shortage of available employees. Add to this, the special skill set required of 3D construction printing and the employee pool shrinks even more. Getting workers up to speed on the specialized skills needed for 3D building could be an overwhelming challenge for many construction companies, particularly smaller corporations.

The Future of 3D Printing in the Construction Industry
While 3D printing in construction has not yet been perfected, it is a technology whose time has come. The cost saving and environmentally friendly benefits outweigh the kinks and challenges that have yet to be refined. And while upfront expenses of getting a 3D building printing system off the ground can be difficult, the long-term financial and technological solutions it offers can make it a wise investment for many companies.

Still, while some in the industry are taking a wait-and-see approach before investing in the expensive technology, the costs of equipment and training will probably be reduced over time as adoption increases and companies see that the benefits outweigh the initial expenses.

The fact is 3D printing construction is here to stay. Its ability to help the industry become leaner, more efficient, more sustainable and safer for employees equals a cost and time saving benefit that companies can then advertise and pass on to clients. This means that those construction businesses that fail to embrace 3D printing could get left behind.

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