Printer

3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) refers to an innovative technology that uses software to control the placement of materials in order to build a 3D object or structure without the need for a standard formwork. The most common placement process in 3D concrete printing relies on extrusion of cement-based composites – whether this is a mortar with fine aggregates or concrete with large aggregates. 3DCP promises to enable the production of complex geometries in a fully-automated setup while delivering advantages such as material savings, greater efficiency in the production of complex concrete products, new architectural insights and design strategies.

  1. Global shortage of skilled labor in the construction industry is made more extreme by increased demand for construction work.
  2. Worldwide increase in the cost of materials like steel and timber.
  3. Global shortage of affordable housing.

3DCP offers

  1. Lower labor cost
  2. Reduced risk of accidents
  3. Increased level of precision
  4. Higher speed of execution
  5. Freedom of design

A 3D construction printer is a 3D printing system specifically developed and specialized for construction.

  1. As with regular 3D printing, a digital model of the building is created using CAD software.
  2. The digital model is converted into G-code and uploaded to the 3D printer.
  3. A material delivery system is connected to the printer.
  4. The printer then reads the G-code and lays down successive layers of the supplied material.

How fast you can print a certain structure depends on many factors, such as print/building size, material properties, operation workers’ experience and other project management factors.

It is also important to know about the wall design (single wall or double wall with cavity between the walls).

The printer has a maximum speed of 100 cm/sec. The ability use more or less of the full speed depends on the size of the pump, the materials to be used and other factors. We are regularly printing with a speed of 40 or 50 cm/sec.

Smaller buildings like a 50m2 3D printed house can be printed with our 3D construction printer in one day.

  1. Reduced Cost
    1. 3D construction printing addresses up to 45% of construction costs for residential housing.
    2. Added cost savings for more complex structures.
    3. Lower labor costs.
    4. Cheaper overall costs for large projects.
  2. Speed – faster execution of projects compared to traditional construction with up to 20x productivity gains. As an example, GUtech 3D printed the walls of THREE buildings in eight days. Incredible speed.
  3. Sustainability
    1. Less waste – Print only what is needed, no cutting/carving of pre-cast elements.
    2. Less reinforcement – Eliminate reinforcement in pre-casted elements, instead print columns as load-bearing elements.
    3. New Materials – Enable the use of recycled materials in the walls when printing.
  4. Freedom of design
    With 3D printing, it is possible for architects to think outside of the box and move away from the current design constraints that are related to traditional construction. 3D printing presents the ability to introduce more freedom when it comes to applicable building designs.

It is important to clean the printer (wash out the concrete) after each print, as well as the parts where machine interacts with concrete. Typical daily cleaning takes 20-30 minutes.

Maintenance and cleaning schedules are found in the user manual, which we provide to our customers. The manual is very extensive and contains all the necessary information and detailed descriptions.

We suggest a team of 3-4 people. Initially, it would be good if there were more on the ground.

  • Printer operator, it is recommended that the operator has a good technical background and knows some 3d modelling. This person will be the main contact to the architects and it is his or her responsibility to make sure the printed structure is according to the drawings provided. Good knowledge about electronics and 3d printing in general as well. ( Recommended operator could have a background as an Architect – Civil engineer – 3d printing expert – Mechanical engineer)
  • Materials operator, we recommend someone with an engineering background and also physically fit. The role of this person will be preparing the batches and doing the initial material examination and testing (slump test, vain test). In addition, the person would also be responsible for adjusting the mix according to the printing conditions and coordinating with the printer operator
    (Recommended Materials operator could have a background in Civil engineering, 3d printing expert, Mechanical engineer or Concrete and construction)
  • Materials operator helper. This role is physically active to help with measurements and support the materials operator as well as help on cleaning and refilling the silos. (construction site experience)
  • Hands-on helpers. On-site to help setting up the printer, hose, move around and ongoing printing visual inspection. It is also favourable if they can drive a boom loader to feed the batch plant with materials while printing (filling up the sand and aggregates … etc.), flush the system and clean the equipment. (construction site experience)

Our printers is the most tested and durable 3D construction printer on the market. At 3D QUANTER, we estimate that the our printers has a lifetime of 20 years, which is similar to other construction machines. However, it is worth noting that since the technology is still quite new, we have not yet experienced a printer coming to the end of its lifetime

Building

The company 3D QUANTERis solely a technology provider. If you have a desire to build a house using 3D printing, contact us, and together with our partner builders, we will assist you in making it happen.

Here is the standard construction process:

  • Site preparation
  • Pouring the slab / foundation
  • 3D printing of wall elements, their insulation and painting in your production facility
  • Delivery of the finished wall elements from the production facility to the construction site and their easy installation
  • Closing the house (roof, windows, doors)
  • Finishing (paint, floor, electrical, heating, ventilation and air conditioning)

Together with the printer, you will receive a link to a training course that explains the process in detail.

The level of thermal insulation depends on two main factors:

The thickness of the insulation, which is determined by the distance between the outer and inner walls. The greater the thickness of the insulation, the more effectively the heat will be trapped.

The thermal conductivity coefficient (also known as lambda), which reflects the insulating properties of the material. This parameter determines the ability of the material to resist heat transfer. The lower the lambda value, the more effective the material is as insulation.

By combining these two factors, an R-value can be obtained, which must comply with local building regulations and standards to ensure effective thermal insulation.

HOW IS PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL INSTALLED?
The manual construction process traditionally handles these tasks, but a 3D printer can assist in the preparation by incorporating holes in the printed walls for electrical sockets, pipes, and other fixtures. These design considerations are implemented in the drawings, resulting in time and cost savings for the project.

HOW ARE THE WALLS OF A 3D PRINTED HOUSE FINISHED?
The 3D printed walls can be finished just the way you want them. The walls can be plastered and painted like traditional houses and buildings. It is even possible to paint directly on the surface of the 3D printed walls.

Or you can choose not to plaster the walls, leave the raw look of the 3D printed walls.

No matter what you choose, the walls will need a coating to repel dust and dirt from the outside environment.

The maintenance and repairs of 3D printed walls will vary based on the specific material used in the construction project and the surface treatment applied, such as paint or plaster. It’s important to note that while the walls are created through 3D printing technology, they are still composed of regular concrete.
For maintenance, regular cleaning and inspection of the walls should be conducted to identify any signs of damage or wear. Cleaning methods will depend on the surface treatment, and care should be taken to use appropriate cleaning agents that won’t damage the material or finish.
In terms of repairs, any damages or deterioration should be addressed promptly. This may involve patching or filling cracks, repairing surface treatments, or reinforcing areas that have experienced structural issues. It is advisable to consult with professionals experienced in working with concrete and the specific 3D printing technique used in the construction for any necessary repairs.
Overall, while the construction method may differ, the maintenance and repair of 3D printed walls largely align with conventional practices for regular concrete walls.

DO YOU PROVIDE SUPPORT REGARDING BUILDING CODES?
We provide support to the best of our abilities; however, it is crucial to align your drawings and designs with a local structural engineer due to the significant variation in building codes across different countries. This ensures that your construction project adheres to the specific regulations and requirements of the local jurisdiction. The expertise and guidance of a local structural engineer will help ensure the safety, compliance, and structural integrity of your 3D printed house in accordance with the local building codes.

The 3D printing process allows for the creation of gaps specifically designed for windows and doors according to the drawings provided. Once the wall elements are complete, the desired windows and doors can be installed in these gaps.
To ensure accurate and precise installation of windows and doors, it is very important to consider several factors at the initial design stage. These factors include the thickness and type of wall, the dimensions of the window or door opening (span and height), the design of the sill, the placement of the frame (both external and internal), and the design of the lintels. Taking these factors into account helps to achieve precise alignment and a consistent connection between windows/doors and walls with a printed substrate.

At the moment, the tallest 3D-printed building is El Castillo (‘The Castle’), which is 9 metres high. It was built in Mexico in 2019. However, 3D-printed technology in construction is developing rapidly, and even taller buildings using this technology are expected to be built in the future.

As of September 2021, the world’s largest 3D-printed concrete building is Apis Cor, located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Completed in 2019, it covers 6,900 square feet (641 square metres) and rises about 31 feet (9.5 metres). The building was built using 3D printing technology, demonstrating the potential for large-scale applications of additive manufacturing in the construction industry.

Materials

An open-source 3D construction printer provides the ability to print using concrete, mortar or other printing materials. This feature optimises the cost of materials as they can be sourced locally. With its flexibility in material selection, this printer enables cost-effective construction, taking into account the availability and sustainability of local raw materials.

The cost of materials will depend on the local prices of cement, aggregates, sand, and other chemical substances such as accelerators. It will also vary based on the specific composition of the concrete mix you intend to use for your projects.
We recommend considering our proprietary material solution, developed in collaboration with our partner, as it can provide cost-effective and high-quality results. This solution takes into account the optimal combination of materials and additives to ensure the desired properties of the printed structures while maximizing efficiency and cost savings. By utilizing our recommended material solution, you can benefit from reliable and optimized materials for your 3D printing projects.

We use the term ‘layer time’to define the time between the application of one layer and the printing of the next layer. This time is adjusted in the software and must be optimised for the specific material used in your project.

At 3D QUANTER, we work with a layer time set to 7 minutes, which allows us to achieve an efficient printing speed and ensure quality results.

Pricing

The cost of a construction 3D printer at 3D QUANTER is £65,000.
But we have a special offer until the end of November 2023. You can buy a 3D construction printer for just £59,900.

All our offerings are available for self-pickup, and our customers are responsible for the logistics when purchasing the printer. However, we can assist you in obtaining a quote and connect you with one of our logistics partners to facilitate the process.
While we don’t directly handle the logistics, we understand the importance of a smooth delivery and can provide guidance to ensure a seamless experience. Our logistics partners have expertise in handling transportation and can assist you with the necessary arrangements. Please let us know if you require any further assistance, and we’ll be happy to help you connect with our logistics partners.

The price of the 3D construction printer 3D QUANTER includes:

  • 3D construction printer;
  • peristaltic pump;
  • mixture supply hose 20 m;
  • documentation.

Using a construction 3D printer can bring several economic benefits:

  • Reduced material costs: 3D printing optimises the use of materials, as only the required amount of material is printed without any surplus or waste. This can lead to significant savings on raw materials.
  • Reduced labour: The automated 3D printing process requires less labour compared to traditional construction methods. This can reduce labour costs and associated costs.
  • Increased productivity: 3D printing allows buildings and structures to be constructed much faster compared to traditional methods. This can reduce project completion time and increase overall productivity.
  • Flexibility in design: A 3D construction printer can create complex geometries and designs that are difficult or expensive to implement using traditional methods. This opens up new opportunities for innovation in architecture and design.
  • Sustainability and eco-efficiency: The use of 3D printing can reduce the environmental impact as fewer materials are required and waste is reduced. In addition, the use of local materials and resources can reduce transportation costs and environmental footprints.

Overall, the use of a construction 3D printer can lead to more efficient use of resources, reduced costs and improved productivity, making it attractive from an economic point ofview

Terms and Conditions

Regrettably, we do not provide rental services to our customers.

The production time for a 3D construction printer is up to two months from the date of conclusion of the contract and advance payment.

Online training:
Our dedicated specialist provides comprehensive training on each specific topic to ensure your team is fully prepared before utilizing our equipment. They will impart their expertise and knowledge, equipping your team with the necessary skills for optimal performance.

3D QUANTER 3D construction printers are covered by an 18-month warranty.