3D Printing
News Videos Newsletter Contact us
Home / Construction / Construction 3D Printing in Japan Blends Wet and Dry Spraying



Construction 3D Printing in Japan Blends Wet and Dry Spraying

July 7, 2020

Researchers in Japan are taking a common-sense approach to integrating 3D printing into their construction industry. Most companies that focus on 3D printed civil engineering structures do one of two things: they either build a giant 3D printer in a warehouse that fabricates parts that have to be shipped and assembled on-site or they develop a mobile 3D printer that can print the structures in place. The engineering team at Gifu University decided to design some upgrades that allow existing ICT construction equipment to be used for concrete 3D printing.

ICT stands for Information and Communications Technology in the construction world. It’s a catch-all term that refers to the use of software, sensors, and communication systems to plan, execute, and track construction projects. When construction workers on the job site can look at a tablet and see a CAD rendering of the designs created by the architect, and then plug that data into an excavator so that it can dig to exactly the right depth, that’s ICT.

In this case, the researchers converted an ICT bucket excavator into a cement 3D printer by attaching a spray nozzle to the end of the bucket and employing its “infinite plane limit” function.

Besides researchers from Gifu University, the R&D group included the Research Institute for Construction Technology, Sumitomo Osaka Cement, Shimizu Construction, NIPPO, Maruei Concrete Industry, and FTS, so there was no shortage of cement expertise. As such, their 3D printing system is capable of printing in two different formats: wet and dry. In the wet mode, the mixture of cement is premixed before being loaded into the printer, whereas in the dry mode, the ingredients are fed separately and become mixed in the print nozzle as the cement is deposited. Both methods have advantages. Premixing generally results in a more thoroughly mixed cement but transporting premixed cement is more difficult and costly. So this printer provides the best of both worlds. 

3d printed concrete japan
Top: First experiments at the Construction Technology Research Institute. Bottom: Expected future application of bridge superstructure. Image credit: Gifu University

By combining the print nozzle, the infinite plane function of ICT excavator, and some expert excavator driving, the team was able to produce a 1.5-meter-tall pillar and a 1-meter-tall wall. The plan is that the technology will first be used in buried formwork at sites where it’s difficult to transport cement, but eventually they expect these types of printers will be used to print bridges superstructures.

Share:
WhatsApp Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Buffer Reddit E-mail
About the author | Cameron Naramore
Cameron is a 3D printer and CNC operator. He's fond of cooking, traveling, and science fiction.
Latest posts

Accelerating Robotics: 3D Printed Wheels and Drone Motors

Padmalaya Rawal, a robotics maker, has developed a high-speed robot wheel using 3D printing and a modified drone motor. His design addresses the... read more »

Electronics
Accelerating Robotics: 3D Printed Wheels and Drone Motors

Immensa Scores $20 Million Series B Funding for Digital Warehouse

Immensa, a leader in additive manufacturing in the MENA region, recently raised $20 million in Series B funding. This move is significant in... read more »

News
Immensa Scores $20 Million Series B Funding for Digital Warehouse

Prusa Introduces Binary G-code Format for Enhanced Space Efficiency

Prusa has introduced a new binary G-code format, .dubbed “bgcode”, aimed at improving space efficiency in 3D printing. Traditional G-code, though widely used... read more »

News
Prusa Introduces Binary G-code Format for Enhanced Space Efficiency

Researchers Create Temperature-Responsive Polymer Composite for Robotics

Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, in collaboration with the University of Houston, have developed a novel 3D printed polymer composite. This... read more »

Materials
Researchers Create Temperature-Responsive Polymer Composite for Robotics

Automotive Company Adopts Digital Inventory for 3D Printed Spares

MAN Truck & Bus has adopted digital inventory management for spare part manufacturing, particularly for parts no longer in production. This approach was... read more »

News
Automotive Company Adopts Digital Inventory for 3D Printed Spares

SOLIDWORKS 2024 Released: What’s New?

Dassault Systèmes has released SOLIDWORKS 2024, the latest incarnation of its 3D design and engineering software (and this writer’s go-to CAD platform). The... read more »

News
SOLIDWORKS 2024 Released: What’s New?

A Closer Look at HyperLok™ – KPD’s High-Temp Bed Adhesive

There are many factors affecting the adhesion of FDM prints to a print bed, be it incorrect print settings, dodgy filament, or warping... read more »

News
A Closer Look at HyperLok™ - KPD’s High-Temp Bed Adhesive

Mechnano and Tethon3D’s ESD Resin Passes NASA Outgassing Tests

Mechnano, in collaboration with Tethon3D, has announced that their C-Lite vat photopolymerization resin has passed NASA's ASTM E595-77/84/90 outgassing tests. This high-temperature resistant... read more »

News
space applications

Maker Demonstrates 3D Printing Spheres Without Supports

A recent demonstration by “DaveMakesStuff” on Hackaday has showcased an efficient method for 3D printing spheres, a typically challenging shape for filament printers.... read more »

News
Support-free spheres

Social

  • Facebook Facebook 3D Printing
  • Linkedin Linkedin 3D Printing
  • Modix BIG-180X Modix BIG-180X
    1800 x 600 x 600 mm
    from $15,500
    Request a Quote
  • Industry MAGNUM Industry MAGNUM
    1500 x 1200 x 1200 mm
    €159.000
    Request a Quote
  • Modix BIG Meter Modix BIG Meter
    980 x 1000 x 1000 mm
    from $13,500
    Request a Quote
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Fashion
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Modix BIG-180X Modix BIG-180X
    1800 x 600 x 600 mm
    from $15,500
    Request a Quote
  • Industry MAGNUM Industry MAGNUM
    1500 x 1200 x 1200 mm
    €159.000
    Request a Quote
  • Modix BIG Meter Modix BIG Meter
    980 x 1000 x 1000 mm
    from $13,500
    Request a Quote



Company Information

  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing

Blog

  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal

Featured Reviews

  • Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
  • Creality Ender 5 S1
  • The Mole 3D Scanner
  • Flashforge Creator 3 Pro

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
2023 — Strikwerda en Dehue
  • Home
  • Join our mailing list
  • Contact us
Blog
  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal
Featured Industries
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
Company Information
  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing