UAE- How does 3D printing work

4/28/2016 3:49:30 AM

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Additive manufacturing or 3D printing is essentially laying down layer upon layer of material until an object is created.

Currently the 3D printing process begins with a design in a computerised 3D modelling programme or through a 3D scanner that can make a digital copy of an item.

Once the design is complete the 3D printer begins laying down materials which can range from plastics and metals to sandstone and porcelain.

3D printing is already being used to create a wide variety of items ranging from sophisticated lightweight aircraft components to titanium jaws and pelvises pieces of art or complex and intricate architectural models that otherwise would be made by hand.

Additionally 3D printed buildings are already a reality.

According to experts the use of 3D printing technology has the potential to reduce the construction time of buildings by 50 to 70 per cent reduce labour costs by 50 to 80 per cent and can cut down on the amount of construction waste by 30 to 60 per cent which means increased sustainability and economic return on the initial investment.

In July 2015 Dubai officials announced that the emirate will be home to the world's first fully 3D-printed office building. The structural components interior furniture and all the detailing will be constructed layer by layer using a massive 20-foot tall 3D printer.

The finished parts will then be assembled in Dubai over the course of several weeks.

In other parts of the world 3D buildings have already been built for residential purposes. In China design engineering company WinSun successfully printed 10 full-sized single story houses in 2014 each costing less than $5000.

Additionally the company has successfully built a three-story 11840 square-foot mansion for a total cost of $161000 as well as a five-story apartment block.

Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.