Sources: LafargeHolcim Ltd., Zurich; CP staff
The latest target in a LafargeHolcim investigation of 3D-printed concrete elements or structures is a pedestal for a new class of turbines, 150-200 meters high, that have the potential to harness one-third or more energy than the shorter towers dotting wind farms the world over.
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A towering mixed-use structure with a unique façade in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood has not only changed the New York City skyline, but has shown the transformative possibilities of 3D-printed concrete formwork. Thanks to a collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, Jacksonville, Fla.-based Gate Precast Co. was able to bring the intricate design of One South First’s “sugar crystal” exterior to life as well as provide a major step forward for architectural precast.
Read MoreSource: Quikrete Companies, Atlanta
Quikrete and California-based Contour Crafting Corp. have entered into a collaboration to develop proprietary concrete used in the automated construction of residential, commercial, industrial and government structures using the latter’s technology. Following comprehensive testing at an independent accredited lab at the University of Southern California to confirm ICC-ES AC509 compliance—a building code spearheaded by CC Corp.—the 3D printing process will be used to construct four low-income housing units as part of a demonstration project sponsored by the Los Angeles County Development Authority.
Read MoreSources; Quikrete Companies, Atlanta; CP staff
Quikrete and the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee, have entered a cooperative research and development agreement to design next-generation concrete for production of large-scale structures or elements through a 3D printing process. Using an Oak Ridge-developed additive manufacturing system, the two-phase, two-year collaboration will target specially-formulated mixes spawning new construction capabilities.
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Sources: SQ4D Inc., Patchogue, N.Y.; CP staff
An industrial and consumer 3D-printing equipment developer reports completion of the world’s largest permitted project of its kind to date: A three-bedroom home whose foundation, exterior walls and interior partitions were printed in 48 hours over a six-day window at a cost below $6,000. SQ4D deployed its Autonomous Robotic Construction System (ARCS) for the 1,900-sq.-ft., Calvern, N.Y. project.
Read MoreSources: Accucode Inc., Denver; CP staff
A $250,000 infusion from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade’s Advanced Industries Accelerator Grant Program will position Boulder-based concrete construction specialist RCAM Technologies and technology integrator Accucode Inc. to develop wind energy components using 3D printing methods.
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Source: Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai
Zoomlion subsidiary m-tec has announced the availability of the Duo-mix mortar mixer in North America, Europe and Asia. The adaptable machine is designed especially for mortar used in 3D construction printing. It can process all standard dry mortar products ranging from bagged or silo to bucket coat material up to a grain size of 4mm.
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A memorandum of understanding sets the stage for GrapheneCA, a New York-based commercial scale producer of graphene, to design an extruder and mixing system that could be embedded into the 3D-printing equipment of Apis Cor Co., San Francisco. Graphene is an advanced carbon agent emanating from nanotechnology and exhibits strong potential as an admixture for high performance concrete.
Read MoreSource: Marine Corps Systems Command, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, Champaign, Ill.
Marine Corps Systems Command and 7th Engineer Support Battalion staff joined U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) colleagues earlier this month to test a 3D concrete printing operation with a late model volumetric mixer feeding a 3-in. nozzle. The demonstration was aimed fabricating a bunker and followed barrack and bridge structure printing with a 2-in. nozzle-equipped assembly.
Read MoreSources: GrapheneCA, New York; CP staff
A memorandum of understanding sets the stage for GrapheneCA, a commercial scale producer of its namesake compound, to design an extruder and mixing system embedded into the 3D printing equipment of Apis Cor Co., San Francisco. Graphene is an advanced carbon agent emanating from nanotechnology and exhibits strong potential as a high-performance concrete admixture.
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