It seems that everything is being replicated on a 3D printer nowadays, but the latest idea from Singapore is the plan to print skyscrapers. The aim is to make constructing a skyscraper no more difficult that putting together a Lego kit.
$100 million has been invested in Nanyang Technology University by the City-state, and they will be printing out large sized concrete blocks. New printers will need to be produced for this project. As yet there is nothing on the market to fill the needs of this job and it is hoped that despite the fact that the job has to be done from the very beginning according to Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, Chua Chee Kai.
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The aim is to produce blocks that are interlocking and can be built in any location. Then they will be moved and assembled on site. He school has experience with fabricated blocks, as the newest dorms that were built with them, but not with ones printed in 3D.
There has already been some practice printing with concrete, and so far the results have been positive. It is considered to be the way forward, and it will indeed bring down the costs of some construction projects if it is found to be suitable.
There are other reasons why this needs to succeed, and that is the fact that average age in Singapore is rising, and large projects are requiring migrant workers. 3D printing would allow the work to go ahead and solve the manpower problems.
Another printer which builds cement structure with using a big 3D printer.