3Dealise and Bruil Develop New Concrete 3D Printing Method

The industrial 3D printing an engineering company 3Dealise and construction company Bruil have teamed up to develop a new technique to bring more freedom and creativity to architects.

With the aid of ExOne‘s S-Max 3D printer, producing objects of a size up to 1800 mm x 1000 mm x 700 mm, moulds are printed that can be stacked like Lego to produce larger shapes. These moulds receive a special treatment so they can later be separated from the concrete using pressurised water. Bruil offers a range of options for concrete, including fibre-reinforced concrete, to be poured into the moulds.

3Dealise CEO Roland Stapper commented “This new technology is important for two reasons:

First, it enables a world of new possibilities for architects: irregularly curved surfaces, lightweight half-open mesh or honeycomb structures, elements ornamented like 17th century craftwork, etc. No longer restrained by technical limitations, the architect’s power of imagination is the new frontier.

Second, because this new technology is capable of producing large-scale fibre-reinforced concrete, it can be used for real-world applications, today. There are many stories filled with expectations about 3D printing, but you cannot create a building with expectations. You need technology that works.”