Companies around the globe are experimenting with the art of printing large structures, including buildings, huts and houses. There will be an impact on the construction industry and the world we live in. Below is a summary of these points.

Advantages

  1. Major potential for environmentally friendly construction projects and waste reduction. Components such as plastic, resin, certain metals, and ceramics are being used and this could mean the end of plastics floating in our oceans and items in our waste dumps.
  2. As 3D printing enables much shorter construction periods, this means that simple 3D printed houses or shelters can be constructed quickly. This could be especially useful after a natural disaster, during times of war or to help with homelessness.
  3. Construction 3D printing allows for customized projects and production shapes that are either impossible or too expensive with conventional methods. It costs no more to design for a single item than it does thousands.
  4. Health and safety risks are reduced because many of the dangerous roles in construction can now be performed by the printer.
  5. Labor costs will be decreased because the printer does most of the work. Great for a business’ bottom line.

Disadvantages

  1. Reduced employee numbers in the industry, as the 3D printer does most of the work. On the flip side the workers needed will require a new skill set for manufacturing and maintaining the printers.
  2. Transportation of the printer to the site and safe storage of it on site is problematic.
  3. Any errors in the digital model can result in problematic issues on site during the printing/construction phase, that may require special handling or rework.
  4. Manufacturers of conventional building products and plant renting companies could suffer as their products demand may decrease.

As this new technology develops and tested in different situations, we will start to see more of the impact on our industry and the world we live in.

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