Author
|
Topic: Concrete-jet "printer" being developed for construction
|
|
|
genstrike
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 15179
|
posted 03 September 2008 12:24 PM
This sounds interesting, and I have seen something sort of similar that makes things out of plastic (IIRC you slowly fill a vat with some gel and a laser which causes the gel to harden "prints" each layer of what you are trying to make as it fills up) but I can see a couple things that might have to be worked out (or I just haven't seen the details yet).First, how are they planning to do things like the roof and tops of windows and doors? If there is just air below it, you won't be able to put any concrete there because it isn't supported by anything. Also, you would still have to get all the reinforcement in place first because concrete without reinforcement is very weak in tension. (unless you have robot arms putting it in or something). And finally, this looks like it would use up a lot of energy to go back and forth over each layer a whole bunch of times compared to regular construction. And the setup looks like it would be a nightmare.
From: winnipeg | Registered: May 2008
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|