3D Home printing certainly sounds like a novelty for many people, but this is one area that has opened a universe of opportunities over the last few years in the construction industry.
There are many people for whom decent housing is still a dream. A 3D printer can help solve this problem, especially in developing countries.
There is no doubt about how 3D printing has drastically changed the face of modern manufacturing. The growth of 3D printing over the past few years has been phenomenal and it has led to numerous unbelievable structures all over the world.
What is 3D home printing?
3D printing is a method for manufacturing construction elements by using a 3D printer printing concrete. 3D printing enables you to create complex shapes using less raw material.
How much does a 3D printed home cost?
3D printed houses are still a new concept. A 3D printed house can cost as low as $10,000 or even lower than that.
How long does a 3D printed house last?
Since 3D printed houses are built from concrete with proper maintenance, they can last somewhere between 50 and 60 years. However, many 3D houses have timber elements that are prone to decay over time if not maintained properly.
What are the 3D printing techniques used for construction?
There are a variety of methods that are used in 3D construction printing.
Robotic Arm Extruder: This technology is also known as contour crafting. In this type of method, the rails are arranged to let the robotic arm move within the limits of the rails. The arm will then build the house layer by layer by extruding the concrete material from its nozzle layer by layer.
Sand 3D Printing: This technique is quite similar to industrial 3D printing. In this technique the machine spreads a layer of sand powder which then hardens the shape of the structure with a binder.
Metal Technology: This is a laser-based technology that uses powdered metals. In this type of method, a layer of steel powder is spread out with a roller. The printer head then places tiny drops of glue on the areas of the layer that are a part of the design.
What are the perks of 3D printed homes?
With 3D printing you can not only modify your model but at the same time experiment with its design.
Low Construction Cost
In comparison to traditional methods, constructing a house using 3D printing technique can bring down the construction cost as it involves minimum consumption of labour and raw materials.
Minimum Construction Time
Constructing a home using a 3D printer can reduce construction time. Since it involves minimum labour and raw material, 3D homes can be completed within a month. This is extremely useful in situations where the structures are required to be built within a short time span. Moreover, since 3D homes are constructed using concrete materials, they can easily withstand natural disasters like hurricanes.
Carbon Footprints
Since 3D printing technique uses sustainable material for construction it minimises waste. 3D printers can be constructed using organic and eco-friendly materials that generate low CO2 emissions.
You can build it faster
A project that might take weeks or even months to complete 3D printers can finish the construction within just 24 hours. This gives contractors ample time to move on to other projects and get more orders.
Scope of 3D printed homes in India
Currently India imports 3D printers from countries like China, the US and Germany and the market for 3D printers is still at an early stage. However, we can expect huge growth opportunities in the coming years with initiatives like Make In India that will definitely spur 3D printer market in India.
