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Technology of Printing 3D Homes vs Traditional Building

Printing 3D Homes with Printers vs Traditional Building


 
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a process that creates physical objects by depositing layers of material on top of each other, following a digital model. 3D printing has been used for various applications, such as making prototypes, medical devices, art pieces, and even food. But can 3D printing also be used to build houses?

In recent years, several projects have demonstrated the potential of 3D printing for construction, claiming that it can offer faster, cheaper, and more sustainable solutions than conventional methods. However, 3D printing also faces many challenges and limitations that prevent it from becoming a mainstream technique for building homes. In this article, we will compare and contrast 3D printing and traditional building in terms of cost, time, quality, design, and environmental impact.

Cost

One of the main advantages of 3D printing for construction is that it can reduce the cost of building materials and labor. According to Architect Outsourcing³, 3D printed buildings have much lower building costs than those built with traditional methods because of the reductions in raw material and more importantly labor. An architectural project's labor costs can be reduced by up to 80% by having most construction completed by 3D printers³.

For example, WinSun, a Chinese company that specializes in 3D printing construction, claims that it can print a two-story villa for about $6,800². Another example is Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona, which has built its first two 3D-printed homes in the U.S., with the assistance of a giant printer that can lay concrete walls in hours¹. The organization hopes that this technology will help them meet the demand for affordable housing faster and cheaper in the future¹.

However, 3D printing also has some hidden costs that may not be apparent at first glance. For instance, 3D printing requires a lot of energy to operate the printers and to heat and cool the materials. Moreover, 3D printing may not be able to replace all the components and systems of a conventional house, such as plumbing, wiring, insulation, roofing, windows and doors. These still need to be installed by human workers or other machines². Therefore, the total cost of a 3D printed house may not be significantly lower than that of a traditional one.

Time

Another benefit of 3D printing for construction is that it can speed up the building process and shorten the project duration. Since 3D printing is automated and controlled by software, it can eliminate human errors and delays that often occur in traditional construction. Furthermore, 3D printing can create complex shapes and structures that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with conventional methods².

For example, WinSun claims that it can print a house in less than a day. Another example is ICON, a Texas-based company that has partnered with New Story, a nonprofit organization that builds homes for people in need around the world. Together, they have developed a printer that can print a 350-square-foot house in less than 24 hours for about $10,000  ².

However, 3D printing also has some drawbacks that may slow down the building process or compromise the quality of the final product. For instance, 3D printing depends on the availability and reliability of the printers and the materials². If there are any malfunctions or shortages, the project may be delayed or interrupted. Moreover, 3D printing may not be able to handle all the environmental conditions and regulations that affect construction. For example, 3D printing may not work well in extreme temperatures or humidity levels. Also, 3D printing may not meet all the safety and structural standards that are required by law².

Quality

One of the main challenges of 3D printing for construction is ensuring the quality and durability of the printed structures. Since 3D printing is a relatively new and experimental technique for building homes, there is not enough data and evidence to prove its long-term performance and stability². Moreover, 3D printing may introduce some risks and defects that could compromise the integrity and safety of the printed houses.

For example,

- The layers of material that are deposited by 3D printers may not bond well with each other or with other parts of the house. This could create cracks or gaps that could weaken the structure or allow water or air infiltration.
- The materials used for 3D printing may not be suitable or compatible with each other or with the local climate and soil conditions. This could cause deterioration or deformation over time.
- The quality control and inspection of 3D printed houses may be difficult or inadequate due to the lack of standardized methods and criteria. This could result in poor workmanship or faulty design².

Therefore the quality of 3D printed houses may vary depending on the type and quality of the printer, the material, the design, and the post-processing techniques used. Some experts suggest that more research and testing are needed before 3D printing can be widely adopted for construction².

Design

One of the most appealing aspects of 3D printing for construction is that it can enable more creative and innovative design possibilities than traditional methods. Since 3D printing can create almost any shape or form imaginable, it can allow architects and designers to explore new aesthetic and functional solutions for housing problems. For example, Emerging Objects a California-based studio has experimented with various materials and geometries for 3D printing such as salt, Coffee grounds and recycled plastic bottles, They have created structures that are not only visually striking but also environmentally friendly and responsive to their surroundings².

References

1. Pros And Cons Of 3D Printed Construction - Architect Outsourcing. https://architectoutsourcing.com/blogs/pros-and-cons-of-3d-printed-construction/.
2. Architects: Here’s the Problem With 3D-Printed Buildings. https://architizer.com/blog/practice/details/3d-printed-buildings-future-or-gimmick/.
3. 3D printed houses may be the future of the construction industry. https://www.npr.org/2022/01/11/1072019286/3d-printed-houses-may-be-the-future-of-the-construction-industry.
4. Conventional Construction and 3D Printing: A Comparison Study on .... https://www.hindawi.com/journals/je/2020/1424682/.
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