Sharjah 24: The first 3D-printed fully-functional villa in the Middle East was unveiled yesterday. It was built at the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTI Park), with the design following traditional architecture but constructed using three-dimensional or 3D-printing techniques.
The inauguration of the 3D-printed house was streamed live from Sharjah across various social media channels. The ceremony was attended by SRTI Park CEO Hussain Al Mahmoudi and a number of academics from the College of Engineering at American University of Sharjah who are partners in the project, as well as a number of international companies specialising in additive manufacturing (3D printing).
Al Mahmoudi said the villa was finished in just two weeks, and it involved a large research programme between different universities, especially the American University of Sharjah, in collaboration with the private sector and some international universities in Finland and research institutions in the Netherlands as well as other countries.
The SRTI Park has been instrumental in developing and training engineering students on applied science and research. Al Mahmoudi underscored: "We aspire, through this project, to strengthen the emirate's position as a centre for research and innovation in the world.”
His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, previously visited SRTI Park, where he was briefed on the developments and techniques used in the implementation of the project, highlighting the importance of the partnerships between the Park and private companies and academic institutions.
Latest additive manufacturing technology
The entire house was built with the latest additive manufacturing technology; the design emulated the architectural heritage of the UAE with the purpose of fostering Sharjah’s status as a preferred destination for this type of cutting-edge building technique and forward-thinking architecture.
The house was constructed by technology provider CyBe Construction, a leading Dutch 3D printing company, and the project was a result of the collaboration among the government, private and academic sectors.
CyBe Construction used a 3D printer can print up to speeds of 600 mm/s, with fast drying concrete mortar that can create load bearing structures in under an hour. CyBe said the printer has a variety of applications, including formworks, walls, sewer pits, abutments and floors. The mobile concrete 3D printer has rubber wheel tracks and was able to roam freely around the site.
Al Mahmoudi noted: “This type of construction has many advantages such as easy access to complex designs and simple modification with access to parts of different sizes, which resulted in shorter duration of construction and lots of savings.”
What is 3D Printing manufacturing?
3D printing manufacturing is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file. The creation of a 3D printed object is achieved using additive processes. In an additive process an object is created by laying down successive layers of material until the object is created. Dimensions are usually faster, more affordable and easier to use than other manufacturing technologies. 3D printers allow developers to print intricate interlocking parts, and can make parts of different materials with different mechanical and physical properties and then assemble them together. 3D printing also offers tremendous applications for production applications. It is also used in jewellery, footwear, industrial design, architecture, engineering, construction, automotive, aircraft, dental and medical industries.
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