A 3D printing venture has been launched by Skanska in collaboration with Loughborough University and globally acclaimed architectural practice Foster & Partners.


3D concrete printers feature a print head that’s fitted to a robotic arm to print successive layers of concrete to create a structure (current using second generation 3D printing technologies). Although we reviewed the recent 3D printed concrete castle in the US, this new facility represents the beginnings of commercially available solutions for the construction industry coming to market.


The devices outperform conventional manufacturing processes when it comes to creating certain complex structural components, as well as carved cladding panels and architectural features.


The initial development programme is set to last for around 18 months and it is hoped will result in the creation of the world’s first commercial concrete printing robot.


Working closely with additional partners such as robotics firm ABB and aggregates suppliers Buchan Concrete and Lafarge Tarmac, Skanska hope to develop a large 3D printing supply chain capable of supporting this new technology as it’s more widely used.


Rob Francis, Skanska’s director of innovation and business improvement, said: “3D concrete printing, when combined with a type of mobile prefabrication centre, has the potential to reduce the time needed to create complex elements of buildings from weeks to hours.


“We expect to achieve a level of quality and efficiency which has never been seen before in construction.”