Customized panels
3D printing in large scale has infinite potential, as we can see here, also in the mold sector. In this project, carried out by WASP Hub Denmark, we can see this innovative approach of molds creation through Additive Manufacturing.
Formworks are widely used in architecture to create concrete panels. Their shapes are often standard because the materials most used are wood, metal and polystyrene. The first two are the most solid but the shapes remain always the same and they can not be customized with details or different geometry. To create customized panels, the most used material is polystyrene: it is more adaptable than the others but you can’t reach all the shapes.
Now we have a new technique that can transform the way we produce concrete panels: large scale 3D printing. With this technology it’s super fast creating big pieces with the wanted shape always in different way.
With 3D printing you can constantly design new geometries and customize the texturing of the panel. This allows you to overcome the limits of the standard formworks and reach new geometric patterns.
Texturing is a process used also in nature to create shapes that have functional features. To show the opportunities of 3D printing in this field, a series of panels in concrete with unique design has been created.
These panels are the results of computational processes and the inspiration comes from nature and abstract shapes. The process of creation involves FDM technology, with upcycled plastic waste in order to re-utilize the material.
3D printing concrete mold
Texturing is a process used also in nature to create shapes that have functional features. To show the opportunities of 3D printing in this field, a series of panels in concrete with unique design has been created. These panels are the results of computational processes and the inspiration comes from nature and abstract shapes.
The process of creation involves FDM technology, with upcycled plastic waste in order to re-utilize the material. This is another plus that makes 3D printing the perfect ally forcreate molds.
Thanks to computational design you can reach always different patterns, generated with algorithms. Here some examples of the different shapes you can reach.
Project credits
CREATE Group – Led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Roberto Naboni
University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Unit of Civil and Architectural Engineering (CAE)
Team: Roberto Naboni, Luca Breseghello, David W. Jokszies
3D Scanning: at the SDU Prototyping Lab (Prof. Knud Bjørnholt)
Industry Partners: WASP (3D Printers), Hi-Con (High-Performance Concrete)
The printer for large scale objects
The printer used in this project is Delta WASP 3MT Industrial 4.0, the perfect printer for large scale objects. It works with filament and pellet extrusion, in order to use recycled plastics. With its printing bed of 1 meter of diameter, it lets you print big objects in small time.