We first learned about MX3D as they embarked on a journey in Amsterdam to consider making a 3D printed pedestrian bridge, and then worked with Dutch students fabricating a 3D printed metal bicycle. Fast forward two years later, and now the group is back to completing the bridge that they began work on with Joris Laarman in 2015 (with Autodesk as chief investor). Progress should be rolling along more quickly though as the team expects the bridge to be finished in 2018.
Since the inception of the idea for the bridge in 2015, the teams have overcome numerous obstacles. They also realize that to continue progressing they will have to improve on current software, as well as robotics; in fact, they foresee robots imbued with the ability to learn and improve (especially at 3D printing) as a requirement for future applications that the bridge actually serves as a proof of concept for.“We’re now making huge steps in the volume of objects that can be printed. That’s going to create a significant leap in adoption,” says Gijs van der Velden, who runs MX3D.
Laarman originally envisioned the bridge as a system of struts networking out in an open, almost crystalline design. And although the initial plan was to install the 3D printed bridge over Amsterdam’s famed Red Light district, changes were required because the first design would have placed undue stress on the canal walls.
Refinements to the bridge mean that it will be a more traditional pedestrian structure, though enhanced by complex bends and turns—accents which would not have been possible without 3D printing. Robots are expected to do a great deal of the construction work also, thanks to innovative software. 3D printing massive pieces though presents a challenge, especially considering the nuances of making a structure with steel.
Because of the intricacies involved, the machines (the robots) must be able to learn. Right now, sensors alert the robots regarding how much current is used to heat the metal to the appropriate temperatures. They are also able to understand how hot the metal with get, and where to apply welds.
MX3D will take machine learning one step further as they design algorithms allowing robots to understand which welds could be problematic and then work to fix the issues—or even better, avoid them ahead of time.
“When you’re making the file for printing, the big issues will be resolved,” explains van der Velden. “When you’re actually printing, the machine will recognize a problem and create a solution on the fly.”
Van der Velden does point out, however, that this type of technology will probably only be applied to a sliver of industrial construction. Their niche will be in complex constructions, probably amounting to five percent of projects overall. Oil rigs are a good example where the technology would be helpful, with robots doing the bulk of the work under human supervision. With 3D printing, parts will be more lightweight, affordable, and durable—as well as high-performance.
“It’s not going to be a magical way of producing everything,” says van der Velden. “But we’ll find really important new parts to print.”
What do you think of this news? Let us know your thoughts! Please join the discussion of this and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com.
[Source: Co.Design]
Subscribe to Our Email Newsletter
Stay up-to-date on all the latest news from the 3D printing industry and receive information and offers from third party vendors.
Print Services
Upload your 3D Models and get them printed quickly and efficiently.
You May Also Like
Ukrainian Researchers Partner with NSF, US Navy to Turn Debris Into New 3D Printed Buildings
Ukrainian researchers have started a project to try to turn waste from demolished buildings into new 3D printed ones. This is especially relevant in Ukraine, where tens of thousands of...
AM Research Webinar: How Continuum Turns Nickel Scrap into Cost Savings & Sustainability
Continuum Powders, a supplier of metal additive manufacturing powders, is on a mission to develop solutions that empower industries to optimize resources and reduce waste. And it’s not just lip...
Verustruct’s Housing-Ready 3D Printing Tech and the Former SpaceX Engineer Behind It
Nick Callegari never planned on building houses. But after designing spacecraft parts at SpaceX, he decided to aim for something a little closer to home. The result is Verustruct, a...
RIC Robotics Teases Zyrex Giantroid Robot For Dreambuilding
RIC Robotics is teasing the Zyrex, what it calls a Giantroid. 6 meters in height with a 7 meter span, the autonomous (but human-monitored) construction robot is slated for release...