A myriad of companies now develop construction-scale 3D printing systems enabling digital fabrication with materials like concrete. We’ll spotlight 10 manufacturers leading hardware and applications advancing across the industry.
Approach
The featured vendors were randomly selected from a database of over 97 organizations worldwide developing 3D concrete printers for additive concrete manufacturing uses.
They provide a glimpse into the range of configurations, build areas, positioning systems and materials compatibility emerging equipment enables.
| Company | Location | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Imprimere AG | Switzerland | Robotic Arm |
| Concreteflow | Ukraine | Dual Extruder |
| StrongPrint 3D | Canada | Gantry |
| DeltaCIS eForming | Russia | Gantry |
| CNC Design | Australia | Gantry |
| Con Cars | Spain | Ring |
| ContourCrafting | USA | Linear Rail |
| K Crane | USA | Truck Mount |
| Stack 3D | India | Robotic Arm + Bricks |
Now let's analyze innovative offerings from each in more detail.
Imprimere AG
This Swiss startup envisions various concrete printer configurations still in R&D like:
- Robotic arms - Multi-axis articulated designs.
- Ring rail - Circular build area coverage via rotating print head.
- Crane - Suspended mounted systems for increased heights and volumes.
- Even mobile track versions for printing highrises on site.
Their creativity highlights potential awaiting scaled commercialization.
Concreteflow
This Ukraine company simplifies aims into modular 3D printed masonry elements made rapidly from a dual extruder concrete printer.
The strong interlocking bricks then assemble into small outdoor structures like walls or bathrooms, avoiding singular monolithic prints.
StrongPrint 3D
Originating from Canada, their novel gantry system leverages collaborative development with industrial partners to perfect mix designs and multi-axis printing allowing sloped vertical constructions.
DeltaCIS eForming
This Russian firm adapts large format CNC machines into concrete extrusion printers with robust gantry frameworks ideal for universities or construction companies. Build modifications enable affordable customization.
CNC Design
Similarly converting existing equipment, the Australian manufacturer outfits CNC cutting heads into pumping concrete printheads able to navigate pathways pre-programming.
New purpose-built prints then validate adapted fabrication reliability for fantastic finished 3d printed houses.
Con Cars
The Spanish startup Con Cars develops a ring shaped printer surrounding a central tower allowing 360 degree access to the entire build area.
This avoids dimensional limits from fixed gantry sizes enabling consistent scalability for larger structures made of repetitive sections.
ContourCrafting
A pioneering force, California's ContourCrafting successfully demonstrated early potential for automated construction via their Craft Trans linear rail concrete printer years ago.
Recent new prototypes maintain their status advancing industry knowledge around multi-axis climbing feedstocks and slip forming deposition rates.
K Krane
This inventive USA group mounts extruders upon crane arms allowing site mobility plus mixing and material handling integration in self contained autonomous platforms movable via trucking.
Stack 3D
Uniquely employing robotic bricklaying, India's Stack 3D precisely stacks cementitious blocks far faster than humanly achievable - pointing towards automating downstream handling in support of printers.
Conclusion
The assorted concrete printing innovators above reveal the tremendous diversity of configurations and build methods powering construction's digital future. Each contributes discoveries propelling additive manufacturing from niche tool towards mainstream building technique through continuously enhanced equipment, materials and applications.
