3D printed bridge to be built in Amsterdam - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2015, 08:12:16 pm
content: A company called MX3D is planning build a printed bridge in mid air over a canal in Amsterdam using what appears to be industrial welding robots, not sure what the integrity of such a structure would be as it is in effect one large weld and as welds in bridges would normally be X rayed this whole bridge would need X raying. I have seen large art object built this way in the past and even built up worn or broken parts myself and know the problems of holes and inclusions etc when doing this so whole load bearing structures is certainly pushing it. But then welding is a foundry in miniature so if the control is exacting enough it should work.https://youtu.be/pZNTzkAR1Ho

author: Asmyldof
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2015, 08:31:59 pm
content: Not to mention that when they discover the country has a lot of creative engineers, they might actually think of adding an XRF module to the robot. :-D

author: B.B.Bubby
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2015, 10:04:27 am
content: Quote from: G7PSK on June 15, 2015, 08:12:16 pmthat's pretty cool. Trouble is that using a MIG welding process outdoors is pretty crappy, but hey if you want perfect welds in a controlled environment then robots are go, outdoors i'd want a beer gutted old school bloke wearing a flouro vest with an stick welder for sure.But hey.. even if the flawed (real world with wind etc) robot method uses 3x as much steel as traditional methods to meet structural requirements - it's still going to be much cheaper to build. Materials are cheaper than man hours (developed world)..Or just get some Filipino welders / workers and some I beam and do it cheaper than the robots....Let the Unions decide.... imported labor or Robots

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2015, 07:56:27 am
content: The welding Institute (TWI) is developing a surface repair system for the aero industry that works by spraying fine metal particles at very high velocity at the work piece. That might be a suitable way to print structures outdoors.http://www.twi-global.com/news-events/news/2015-05-extending-aircraft-life-using-cold-spray-technology/?utm_source=TWI+Ltd&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=5824877_Remail%3a+Copy+of+Connect%2b+Transport+May%2fJune+2015&utm_content=Extending+aircraft+life+using+cold+spray+technology&dm_i=147O,3GUI5,IFFXBI,CEVWS,1

author: B.B.Bubby
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2015, 08:05:45 am
content: As good as 3D printing is.... nothing man made is ever going to be this cool. Organic bridges all the way. reckon I'd trust it more as well.http://www.zmescience.com/other/great-pics/science-art-growing-tree-root-bridges/

author: Mechanical Menace
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2015, 03:30:40 pm
content: Quote from: B.B.Bubby on June 17, 2015, 08:05:45 amAs cool as that is it's still man made.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2015, 03:37:52 pm
content: Bio engineering is most likely the future, but I would not like to come across the spider big enough to spin the replacement for the San Francisco bay bridge.