$50,000 3D concrete printer: Open design including hardware, software, and material integration

Iowa State University has released an open-source design for a 3D concrete printing (3DCP) printer. 3DCP stands for the extrusion of cement-based or paste-like materials on a building scale. In practice, this is typically used to create foundations, walls, and floors for smaller buildings. Examples include residential buildings, offices, and even churches.

Until now, commercial systems have been primarily used for such applications. Construction companies wishing to enter this field had to purchase equipment or enter into agreements with manufacturers. The newly released design is intended to provide an alternative route. Shelby Elizabeth Doyle, Associate Professor of Architecture at Iowa State University, refers to the project as the “ISU 50k 3D Concrete Printer” and estimates the cost of implementation at around $50,000. This is significantly lower than some commercial 3DCP systems.

It is not just a mechanical design that has been published. Doyle explicitly mentions the integration of hardware, software, and materials as part of the open setup. In addition, the team provides a Google Drive link with device specifications, Grasshopper definitions, and information on how the setup was integrated and how the mixing process for the material was developed.