3D printing allows you to build complex structures and gets rid of human errors!
Approximately 2% of the world population comes under homeless category, whereas around 20% of people in the world lack adequate shelter. Most of the homeless people are in poor countries as compared to homeless people in the rest of the world. Conventional house building techniques are time consuming and sometimes exceed budget, due to mismanagement. Thus, work is delayed or paused leading people to be homeless for longer span of time.
To speed up civil construction within a small budget, the Printability Lab (IMPRINT) from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras and Tvasta Manufacturing, have come up with a new technology of printing homes instead of building them!
3-D printers have already grabbed a lot of attention and this technology can be used on construction sites to print homes. India, being one of the most populated, lacks in basic needs such as toilets and homes for people. Thus, India needs such a technology that provides hygiene and shelter, to the people. IMPRINT and Tvasta aim to develop 3D technology in such a manner that it can be used in the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and also for the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. The plan is to utilise the technology on a grand scale and reduce consumables in the construction with government’s assistance.
3-D printing technology is under development, but can be used even now. It can print various 3-D designs automatically, based on the input design. 3-D printing uses the additive manufacturing technique, where construction is done layer by layer to build a structure. As printing is completely digitised, only monitoring is required. Complex designs can be constructed as per the user demand without risk of defects in the construction. Such a technology makes project management easier and simpler.
Printing technology is economical, portable, flexible and easier once it’s used for mass construction. It can easily compete with the existing methodologies. IMPRINT has a goal to contribute to the Indian construction industry as it will be the third largest construction market by 2021 and the fastest growing construction industry by 2025.
The technology of 3-D printing is accessible for inexpensive single floor constructions. Also, 3-D printing supports eco-friendly construction with limited resources and less carbon footprint due to reduced wastage in the workplace. No doubt, 3-D printing for construction will be the next big thing all over the world.
Edited by: Anomitra Dey
Reference:
1. https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/comment/why-3d-printed-building-is-more-than-a-fad-1.714548
2. https://www.edexlive.com/happening/2018/oct/31/how-this-start-up-run-by-iit-madras-alums-is-going-to-3d-print-your-next-house-4300.html 3. http://www.tvastagroup.in/
