Photos from open sources of
It is such a unique 3D technology created by the Dutch MX3D, which has developed and is successfully demonstrating special robots for “growing” steel bridges.
The definition is, of course, conditional, but if you look at the work of such robots, the impression of the “printing” of the bridge is that he is being raised or sculpted, but not built.
It all starts with the fact that on the opposite banks of the river, canals, beams, gorges (whatever) are attached two foundations of the future the bridge. After that, two robots are launched from each end, which begin to add small portions of molten metal – begin to sculpt a bridge, gradually moving towards each other. And the place of their meeting cannot be changed!
As project designer Joris Laarman explained, 3D technology has long been grown from children’s pants and now successfully conquer large-scale areas of activity – the construction of such large facilities as residential buildings, various buildings and structures, including bridges.
A photo from open sources
By the way, we note that the company MX3D demonstrates so far only laboratory tests of 3D printing of such unique structures, however, they assure that a real bridge will be created along this technology as early as 2017. It will be the first bridge in the world tuned by robots that can literally use it – grow or sculpt. Where will this first-born be built – for now not yet decided.
Yes, the scope of unique 3D printing is expanding, according to forecasters, ten years later on this technologies (or, at least, with its partial use) more than half of all products and objects will be created, built in the world.
Bridges Robots
