1

Can 3D Printing revolutionize architecture and construction?

Dr. Ir. Bart Van der Schueren

Executive Vice President, Materialise

A FEW WORDS ON MATERIALISE

2

3

Three Core Competences

3D Printing – also known as Additive Manufacturing

• Machine park of 80+ machines

4

1

Three Core Competences

Digital CAD

• Represent 3D volume by triangles

• Make printing possible

2

Three Core Competences

From CT/MR images

…to anatomical engineering ...to physical models

Medical Image Based Engineering and Manufacturing 3

3D PRINTING: HYPE, BUT WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

10

Principle known since 4500 years

11

Basic Concept: Powder Bed

12

Basic Concept: Extrusion

13

Basic Principle: Strengths

• Toolless production

• No upfront investment

• Design changes are for free

• Need for correct 3D CAD file

• (Almost) unlimited freeform

• Limitation is mainly in mind of designer

• Too simple products are not competitive

• Technologies are slow

• Materials are expensive

14

3D PRINTING IN ARCHITECTURE

15

Use of 3D Software

16

Creativity of the Architect

17

CONSTRUCTION & 3D PRINTING

18

Some projects

• Kamermaker.com (DUS Architects)

• Contour Crafting (University of South Carolina)

• 3D Concrete Building (Loughborough University)

• D-Shape

• Universe Architecture

• Lunar 3D Printer

19

DOWN TO EARTH INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE

20

D-shape

21

Lunar 3D Printer

22

Gamete.MGX by Xavier Lust

Quin.MGX by Bathsheba Grossman

Root Chair by Kol/Mac

Fractal.MGX by WertelOberfell - Platform

Tulip.MGX by Peter Jansen

www.i.materialise.com

31

THANK YOU

32