MX3D to Create Ornate Metal 3D Printed Bridge

3D printing has come a long way, and one of the biggest questions is whether it will ever be a viable alternative to traditional building methods. Joris Laarman Lab has made an attempt to answer this question by proposing an ornate metal 3D printed bridge, which will span one of Amsterdam’s canals. The custom made robot/printer that will be used is known as the “MX3D.” It is a 6-axis robot which will print its own load bearing support structure that it will use to move across while it builds the bridge in mid-air. The project is projected to end in 2017.

According to Laarman, the project leader: “This bridge will display how 3D printing finally enters the globe of huge-scale, practical objects and sustainable materials while enabling unprecedented freedom of type. The symbolism of the bridge is a beautiful metaphor to connect the engineering of the future with the outdated city, in a way that brings out the very best of each worlds.”

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The MX3D

“MX3D Metal” is a multiple axis 3D printing tool that combines an industrial robot with a welding machine. Since this innovation by the Joris Laarman Lab, Acotech, and Autodesk was a completely new machine, the company also had to create proprietary software to run their new 3D printer/robot hybrid. MX3D is capable of 3D printing small and large complex building structures from sustainable and environmentally friendly metals including steel, stainless steel, aluminum, bronze and copper without the need for traditional support structures. The MX3D can also print in mid-air by adding bits of molten metal to the printed materials which is controlled by their robot-welding machine’s software.

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March 19, 2024