3D printing technology may be coming to the
construction industry. University of
Southern California Professor Behrokh Khoshnevis has built a large 3D printer
that reportedly can construct a house in less than 24 hours. Using technology called Contour Crafting, a
large gantry with a nozzle basically lays concrete layer-by-layer according to
a computer design. Individual workers
can then take care of plumbing, wiring, and finish work. Proponents of the technology believe that it
could reduce the cost of housing and help to quickly erect high-quality housing in
disaster relief areas.
While this technology remains in the development stage, it is
worth taking a moment to consider the business and legal implications if 3D
printing and robotic construction someday move into the mainstream of the
industry.
Professor Khoshnevis discusses his technology in the
presentation below.
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