3D printing in construction

The AM.NUS Printing Programme was launched on 5 July at the International Conference on Construction 3D printing

With the aim to drive the adoption of 3D printing building technology in the construction industry, the Centre for Additive Manufacturing (AM.NUS) at NUS launched the AM.NUS Printing Programme on 5 July. Hosted under NUS Design and Environment and supported by the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC), the programme will develop sustainable materials and 3D printing designs to facilitate rapid mass production of building structures.

The programme has started on two research projects. The first is to build a 3D printed toilet to accelerate the production of toilet units in India as well as improve the country’s sanitation. Researchers from the programme, in collaboration with NAMIC and Hamilton Labs, developed a novel toilet unit design that with 3D printing takes about five hours to build and is 25 per cent cheaper to produce. This unique design will make assembly and installation of the toilet units easier for workers.

The second project aims to develop the world’s first 3D printed volumetric formwork for bathroom units. The new formwork replaces the more traditionally used steel and timber with a polymer and with the use of a semi-automated production line could see up to 24 bathroom units constructed in a day. Researchers are in the midst of working with local authorities and a local firm to advance the project.

See press release.