As a specialist in 3D printing for the construction industry, I can attest to the remarkable time and cost savings that this technology can provide. But how long does it take to construct a home using a 3D printer? Let’s examine the technology as it stands right now and see if we can’t get a better idea of what it might take to construct a house out of 3D printing.
In the first place, it’s worth noting that 3D printing is a cutting-edge technique that’s still in its infancy and is subject to rapid development. While it has been used to construct smaller structures and specific components of larger buildings, no fully habitable 3D-printed homes that adhere to all applicable regulations yet exist.
Yet, several accomplished endeavors have shown the promise of 3D printing in the building industry. With a mobile 3D printer, APIS Cor created the city’s first 3D-printed homes (https://www.apis-cor.com/en/news/first-3d-printed-building-in-amsterdam/). These homes took only a few days to construct the walls, and they were printed on-site using a mixture of cement and recycled plastic.
Dubai’s first 3D-printed office building (https://www.cnbc.com/2016/05/25/dubai-unveils-first-3d-printed-office-building.html) was constructed using a unique concrete mixture and was finished in just 17 days. This project showed how 3D printing can be used to create complex, curved designs that would have been difficult to achieve using conventional methods, all while maintaining precise control over structural integrity.
As a result, it is evident that 3D printing has the potential to drastically cut down on the amount of time required to construct buildings. However, one must bear in mind that these endeavors were on the modest side and did not adhere to all regional building standards. Working with a professional 3D printing construction company and adhering to local building codes are currently required in order to construct a fully occupied, fully 3D printed house that meets all necessary safety and quality standards. Due to the increased complexity of the systems and rules involved, this procedure may take longer than the aforementioned projects.
While 3D printing has the potential to drastically cut down on building times, the actual duration of constructing a 3D printed home will be determined by factors such as the size of the project and the specifics of the local building codes. It’s likely that as 3D printing technology improves, more and more structures will be constructed in record time.
About the Author: Reynaldo Santana
Author, Ph.D. Candidate in 3D Printing Construction, Ted Talk Speaker, 3D Printing Consultant & Mastermind Group Creator.
References:
“APIS Cor builds first 3D printed homes in Amsterdam” (https://www.apis-cor.com/en/news/first-3d-printed-building-in-amsterdam/)
“Dubai unveils first 3D printed office building” (https://www.cnbc.com/2016/05/25/dubai-unveils-first-3d-printed-office-building.html)