MANILA, Philippine - A new technology called 3D printing or Contour Crafting (CC) still under development in the University of Southern California (USC) promises to build outer structures in record speeds.
The mammoth machine promises to complete a medium-scale house in 24 hours, moving along two rails and pours out concrete much like an ink-jet printer built by giants.
Researchers at USC led by Professor Behrokh Khoshnevis called it a "robotic construction system" fabricating parts layer by layer.
"The chief advantages of the Contour Crafting process over existing technologies are the superior surface finish that is realized and the greatly enhanced speed of fabrication," the USC Viterbi School of Engineering said on its website.
The CC printer is currently being developed for ceramics and construction materials. In the near future, it may be applied to emergency housing and low income housing construction as well as in building adobe structures, but these are just among the many possibilities.
"As for the future development direction of CC, a relatively large multidisciplinary research team at the University of Southern California will be investigating the application of the technology in construction of modern civil structures, construction of structures on the moon and Mars, and in fine arts on the creation of large ceramic sculptures," the site said.
3D printing for emergency housing
Khoshnevis sees how the technology can alleviate situation in disaster zones and war-ravaged areas around the world.
"The sad reality of the situation is that it can take several months or years before disaster victims are placed in permanent housing, many remain in primitive camps or even homeless indefinitely," the researchers said, explaining the scenario where contour crafting can be applied.
They also said victims of war and calamities deserve to have a dignified life and should not be made to suffer for months and even years while their homes and communities are being rebuilt.
"Contour Crafting technology can deliver strong dignified houses to disaster victims very rapidly. Construction by Contour Crafting can build a 2,000 square foot house with all utilities for electrical and plumbing in less than 24 hours," they explained.
Labor and transportation costs of materials are also minimized as the technology can adapt in any environment.
"Since Contour Crafting is an automated process, labor needs are highly minimized allowing relief workers to allocate their time and effort to rebuilding local infrastructure such as water sanitation and distribution systems, roads, electrical and communication systems as well as irrigation systems," the researchers added.
The Philippines faces an enormous task of rebuilding thousands of houses and infrastructure in the Visayas after Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) smashed last November.
Observers said rehabilitation can take up to five years while millions of people have been uprooted from their homes and livelihood.