The world of 3D printing has always been pretty exciting, and things will only grow more competitive over the past A new type of 3D printer will definitely shake up the market quite a bit, as it is capable of constructing a building in 14 hours. That is quite impressive, especially when considering this device is mobile and can be moved to different locations if needed.
MIT’s Latest Toy is Quite Impressive
Leave it to the technology enthusiasts at MIT to come up with a new solution to shock the world. The Digital Construction platform looks rather outlandish, and one would not be able to sum up its capabilities just by looking at it. Once the machine is put to work, however, things change dramatically. This odd-looking thing can build an entire building in 14 hours. This is a clear example of why no one should judge a book by its cover.
One thing that stands out immediately is how this device is completely mobile. Turning a massive building-printing 3D printer into such a “compact” form was thought of as unfeasible just a few years ago. MIT’s engineers have come a very long way and made a ton of progress in just a few short years. Not only will this unit shake up construction on earth, but the engineers are hopeful it will be used to colonize Mars and other planets as well.
It is not the first time someone uses a 3D printer to create a building or a house. However, completing the job in just over 14 hours is quite impressive. Unfortunately, this also means the device is somewhat limited as to what can be achieved in that timespan regarding difficulty and different shapes, but it is still outpacing any of its competitors by quite a margin. At the same time, it is certainly capable of printing a structure in one go, which is nothing short of amazing.
Unlike what some people might expect, this mobile 3D printer can be controlled in an extremely precise fashion. This is made possible thanks to its two long industrial robotic arms. Moreover, it also means the printer can use a larger build space compared to dealing with constraints imposed by the print bed in question. In this particular case, it can print on any flat surface right away.
It is well worth mentioning the Digital Construction Platform has been in development since 2011. Multiple iterations of the printer have been conceived over the past few years, each of which introduced improvements. The YouTube video below shows off the 3D printer as it produces a twelve-foot-high dome made out of material that combines foam, and concrete. Do keep in mind this is just a glimpse of what the MIT team hopes to achieve with their creation in the coming years.
The ultimate goal for this project is to build self-sufficient robotic systems. To be more precise, the MIT team aims to create a platform that gathers its own energy. Right now, photovoltaic energy is being used by this particular printer, although other options are being explored as we speak. Moreover, future versions of the printer will be capable of customizing a build depending on the conditions present. An interesting future awaits us, that much is certain.
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