Nearly 100 3D-printed homes are on the verge of completion using a robotic printer called Vulcan. This enormous printer is nearly 45 feet wide and weighs over 4,750 kg.
The developers in the US are creating a housing community known as Wolf Ranch using the robot 3D-printing technology. They are nearing the completion of the 3D-printed houses which was started in November 2022. The construction of 3D-printed houses is undertaken by Texas Construction Firm, ICON. The homes are ranging between 1,500 to 2,100 square feet in size.
After combining concrete powder, water, sand, and additional additives and pumping the mixture into the printer, a nozzle applies the concrete mixture in layers to create walls with a corduroy-like effect along a pre-programmed course. The developer states that building 3D printed homes is quicker and less expensive than traditional construction, employing fewer laborers and less materials.
The construction process of the single-story residences with three to four bedrooms involves three weeks. The concrete walls are engineered to endure severe weather conditions, water, mold, and termite infestation. The wall’s effective insulation properties provide good resistance against severe heat.
NASA has shown interest in developing 3D-printed building technology that might be used to build landing pads, shelters, and other structures on the lunar surface as part of the Artemis Moon mission.
