Kerala’s First 3D-Printed Building Inaugurated

Kerala's first building constructed using 3D printing technology has been named Amaze-28 and was recently inaugurated by Revenue Minister K Rajan. 

• The building is a one-room summer house with a 380 sq ft area. It is located in the Kerala State Nirmithi Kendra (Kesnik) campus at PTP Nagar in Thiruvananthapuram. 
• The project was completed in just 28 days and serves as a demonstration model. 
• Kerala State Nirmiti Kerndra completed the project with the support of Tvasta, a Chennai-based construction tech start-up launched by some IIT-Madras alumni.
• According to Kerala State Nirmiti Kendram Director Debi Varghese, they have received inquiries from various government and private agencies. 
• The team is planning to commercialize and popularize the 3D printing technology. In 3D printing, there are three processes: data processing, material processing, and robotic printing. 
• The material processing stage involves converting an object or structure into a 3D model, which is then printed layer-by-layer.

India’s first 3D printed post office was opened in Bengaluru.

Benefits of 3D Printing in Construction

Faster Speed of Construction

• The biggest advantage of using a 3D printer in construction would be the speed with which the projects could be completed.

Low waste construction

• The construction industry is a major contributor to global waste production.  A 3D printer uses the resources with precision, thus cutting down any wastage.

Reduced health and safety hazards

• The use of 3D printers in concrete work can reduce health risks. Using a 3D printer for these jobs could minimize the risks of injuries and fatalities. That’s one of the prime reasons to try this technology in the construction industry.

Increased accuracy

• 3D printing can help construction companies achieve a greater level of accuracy when building concrete structures. In a 3D printing process, instead of using traditional molds to pour concrete, 3D concrete printing technology pours materials in layers using a computerized process.

High level of design freedom

• Architects and designers can create intricate designs with ease using 3D printing technology, which is more cost-effective and less labor-intensive than traditional methods.

Tailored Constructions

• In traditional construction, customization was time-consuming and labor-intensive. But 3D printing ensures enhanced structural integrity. It also allows the alteration of certain parts to fit certain requirements.