TOP SIX

While additive manufacturing isn ’ t entirely new , its rapidly-growing use in the construction industry is . The advantages of this method for printing infrastructure such as concrete is quick construction , low cost , and a great deal less waste being produced . 3D printing could play a huge role in the production of low-cost housing in impoverished and war-torn areas ; only the necessary raw materials are produced for such products , and 3D printer ‘ ink ’ can be created with recycled plastic . 3D printing of buildings is also well on its way to being used for off-planet habitats on Mars and the Moon , to the extent that NASA plans to use sintering techniques on lunar dust , enabling construction without the difficult transportation of materials from Earth .

20 May 2016