The Crane WASP 3D printing system stands out from other products due to a range of innovative factors, including its sustainability, flexibility, and efficiency:

Material versatility: Its ability to print not only cement but also natural materials like local soil.

Design: Its crane-like design ensures versatility and easy mobility, allowing it to be used in hard-to-reach locations where large, fixed machinery cannot reach.

Energy consumption: Additionally, Crane WASP features low energy consumption and a modular system that can be resized, offering customizable solutions based on the specific needs of customers.

The Stand-Alone Crane WASP has a printing volume of 6.2 meters in diameter and 1.7 meters in height. It is a more compact version of the Crane WASP, designed for easier maneuverability, especially in indoor spaces.

The Crane WASP 3D printing system is capable of constructing buildings with a wide variety of ground plans, not only circular, but also rectangular, free-form, or curved layouts. While the circular shape was originally chosen to maximize walkable surface area and minimize wall material using a single printer unit, the system is by no means limited to this geometry. The Stand-Alone Crane WASP is particularly well-suited for creating complex geometries, including structures like artificial reefs, urban furniture, and public installations.

At Zero Kilometer

This process requires specific work to analyze the soil in each area and to fine-tune a printable material. The material retrieved from the local soil must be balanced with other elements to create a robust and useful construction material.

In this regard, it is crucial to conduct research focused on the material before printing any structure that requires mechanical performance.

This approach requires significant research, and during the use of the Crane WASP, some important theoretical foundations are laid out that need to be considered when researching materials.

It is also possible to work with natural materials, similar to earth, but pre-mixed and available in bags. This approach doesn’t require extensive research.

However, this research does not replace certified materials.

Lime-based materials

Lime was the building material used by the ancient Romans, similar to today’s cements. It works well on the machine, and due to its nature, it has an interesting environmental impact, as it requires less energy to produce. There are pre-mixed formulations for 3D printing.

Cement-based materials

This is the current standard for construction. It makes the material mechanically strong and readily available everywhere, but it has a high environmental impact due to energy consumption during production. There are specific pre-mixed formulations for 3D printing.

The Crane WASP technology (like other 3D printing technologies for construction) can manage the printing of cement-based mortars.

Mortars (with an aggregate size up to 5 mm, Heidelberg 4 mm) can be printed, but not concrete (with an aggregate size up to 2 cm), due to how the 3D printer handles the material.

The printing result from a structural point of view requires a different approach compared to traditional reinforced concrete.

There are kits available to optimize the machine’s performance, which allow for specific configurations of the system to work with these materials.

For the best printing results, it is recommended to use cements developed for 3D printing, which are sold by WASP.

To effectively manage a construction site with a Crane WASP, the client is required to form a team consisting of:

1. One person with specific training in the technology: Site Manager

2. Two trained individuals for on-site work: Support Operators

For the key role of Site Manager, a background in civil engineering, architecture, or related fields is required, along with skills in 3D modeling and design.

The Site Manager will be the coordinator of the work around the printer and will hold significant responsibility. During printing, they will supervise the machine’s operation and the management of printing material to ensure an optimal process at all stages.

The Support Operators will be responsible for preparing the optimal printing material. Since any variation in the material can cause more or less severe printing defects, their work is critical and valuable. It is a physical job, so shifts should be organized with different teams working in pairs.

Training is linked to the installation of the machine. The first theoretical phase consists of 3 sessions covering the following topics: machine and instrumentation, materials, and design. The second phase takes place at WASP, where there are 5 days of practical work on the WASP Crane to understand its use, handling, management, and functionality.

WASP provides technical support after the printer purchase, while services for evaluation and design of the structure itself are paid services.

Stand-Alone Crane WASP is compatible with both natural and cement-based materials, and the system remains open to experimentation with alternative mixtures. To support innovation, WASP offers a dedicated material testing service, enabling users to evaluate and optimize new formulations for 3D printing applications.