3D printing is a fabrication process by which large-scale parts can be fabricated quickly in a layer-by-layer fashion. The chief advantages of the 3D printing process over existing technologies are the superior surface finish that is realized and the greatly enhanced speed of fabrication. The success of the technology stems from the automated use of age-old tools normally wielded by hand, combined with conventional robotics and an innovative approach to building three-dimensional objects that allows rapid fabrication times. Actual scale civil structures such as houses may be built by 3D printing. It's has been under development under support from National Science Foundation and Office of Naval Research.
More recently, the direction of development has been in the use of various ceramics (including piezo electric actuators) and construction materials. Another high potential application is construction of civil structures such as houses. Emergency and low income housing construction fields are being considered by various entities. Also application in building adobe structures using inexpensive materials is being pursued in conjunction with an NGO organization.
As for the future development direction of 3D prinitng, a relatively large multidisciplinary research team at the University will be investigating the application of the technology in construction of modern civil structures, construction of structures on Moon and Mars, and in fine arts on creation of large ceramic sculptures.
PROS & CONS
A house that takes several months to construct using a crew of several dozen construction workers can now be built or more accurately printed layer by layer with 3D printing in one day, without any human labour !!
Now if that's not a disruptive technology --- I don't know what is !!
3D printing gets my vote for the most potentially disruptive smart technology of 2005-2006
Update:
On April 24, 2006, the Transtudio Blog writes:
The Back End
We are generating more waste than ever before. We create waste coming and going, creating and destroying, preserving and dismantling.
The construction industry is the most wasteful, with 136 tons of construction debris generated annually in the United States. Building a 2,000 square foot home actually creates 8,000 pounds of waste. This figure translates to 2.8 pounds of waste generated per capita per day in America.
Now, imagine if disposal was not an option.
3D printing would go a long way to eliminating this waste
© 2005-2006
Walter Derzko
Expert, Consultant and Guest Speaker on emerging Smart Technologies, Strategic Planning, Business Development, Lateral Creative Thinking and author of an upcoming book on the Smart Economy "
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