3D printing technology capable of outputting metal in the air, to the construction of the bridge in the city of Holland

We are developing 3D printing technology which outputs metal and resin material in the air as the research development startup "MX3D"is. Practical use of amazing 3D printing technology by MX3D's robot arm which outputs various metals without supporting structure in the air to construct three-dimensional object is approaching, and it is getting closer to the practical use of metal-made materials that people can cross over in the city of Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands I decided to make a bridge with only a robot.

MX3D is to 3D-print a steel bridge over water in Amsterdam
http://phys.org/news/2015-06-mx3d-3d-print-steel-bridge-amsterdam.html

The MX3D robot can output steel, stainless steel, aluminum, bronze and copper, and at the same time it pours a small amount of molten metal so that it can build a bridge without supporting structure in the air. Three-dimensional objects can be output even on water, and robots output rails for themselves to move while building bridges from the starting point, so even without a foothold they can pass the bridge over to the other side.

According to Tim Geurtjens, CTO of MX3D, "Our technology follows the principle of" printing outside the box ", and by the technology to print using a 6-axis working robot, the 3D printer's" I was able to eliminate the limitation of "square box". " In future it will be possible to output three-dimensional objects with even higher precision by "multi-axis" industrial robot. Joris Laarman Lab of the design office cooperating with MX3D said "Although the 3D printing technology is still an unexplored area, if it is MX3D's method it can output independent solid objects of unexpected size and shape on the surface of any material "I am commenting.

In addition, the state that the robot of MX3D is actually outputting a bridge is released in the following movie.

MX3D Bridge Visualization - YouTube


The left two arms are 3D printing robot of MX3D. You can see that aiming at the other side while outputting the structure of the bridge in the air that is outputting the bridge in the air.


In addition, you can see how MX3D machines output metal and how people are passing a small metal bridge that they output from the following movies.

MX3D to 3D print a steel bridge in Amsterdam - YouTube


While scattering sparks and metal, metal is output.


A metal rod will stretch out quickly.


It is possible to output not only a straight line but also a metal bar of a curve.


Indeed, over a 1 meter bridge, men are crossing. It is a bridge with a simple structure, but you can see that as long as one human passes, it achieves enough strength.


In addition, MX3D is scheduled to bridge in Amsterdam in 2017, not a conceptual demonstration model, but a steel bridge with durability of more than 20 years with strength that people can actually come and go .

MX3D project includes building company Heijmans, design officeJoris Laarman Lab, Several companies and organizations such as software company Autodesk, ABB Robotics, Amsterdam City Council are participating, and it is officially announced where around the city of Amsterdam the bridge will be built around September 2015.