We’ve reported on 3D printing concrete before, but 2016 looks to be the year that will finally see this production technique in widespread use.
CyBe Construction is set to release its printable concrete mix for early 2016 in anticipation of the release of the ProTo 3DP Concrete 3D printer later in the year.
The company is currently pursuing European Union (EU) certification for the printer. This is the last major hurdle that CyBe must clear before they can enter the marketplace, since these printers cannot legally be used on EU construction sites if they are not certified.
Check out the video below to see the printer in action:
The printable concrete is a quick-drying cement product. It can be formed into structures that will dry to load-bearing-strength within an hour. Since the material dries so quickly, it can be printed in freeform or parametric designs without the need for frames or support structures.
The concrete will fully cure in under 24 hours, resulting in a completely watertight finished product. It also has the added benefit of being environmentally friendly: the concrete material is recyclable, and produces less CO2 when 3D printed compared to traditional concrete laying processes.
Read more at ENGINEERING.com
