Can You Use 3D Printing To Print A House?
By Cheryl Knight, contributing writer
Among all the applications — and potential applications— for 3D printing, one that might not be top of mind is providing shelter for the homeless. A recent 3DPrint article reports on a crowdfunding campaign, however, aimed at just that.
3D Print Homes International, based in the U.K., plans to use funds from its Kickstarter campaign to help fund the development of a printer large enough to construct homes. Then, it plans on offering its printers to other investors.
The printers would use fast-drying concrete and contour crafting, and the expectation is for the printers to lay out an entire housing estate within a few weeks, at least one home a day.
There are examples of construction projects that use 3D printing. According to a blog on 3D PrintBoard.com, a Chinese company Winsun used a 490-foot long, 33-foot wide and 20-foot deep printer to print houses. The main frames of the houses were printed at a factory and transported to their permanent locations. Because of the lower price of construction, they could be more accessible to low-income residents. 3D PrintBoard.com also reports a project in New Amsterdam, to 3D print canal houses, printing the homes in several pieces on site.
Opportunity For VARs And MSPs
In Business Solutions’ article If You Don't Sell 3D Printers Now, You'll Hate Yourself Later, TJ Trojan, senior vice president of product management for SYNNEX Corporation, says beyond the initial sale of hardware and materials, VARs can find recurring revenue opportunities replenishing consumables, providing services, managing third-party production or tooling, and development. Trojan says, “VARs who incorporate value-adds beyond hardware and material sales will stay ahead in 3D printing. Once 3D printers are well established on a VARs line card, they will see the benefits of offering a leading edge, next-generation technology with plentiful vertical market applications.”