3D printing already in reach

On January 15, 2019, Weber Beamix opened Europe’s first commercial, industrial production site for 3D printing of concrete elements for construction in Eindhoven. Today, production is in full swing. Various components are being printed and fielded. There is even a second permanent production facility in Europe, a mobile factory for rental and a fixed product portfolio including custom-made slope stairs.

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According to Pieter Bakker, 3D printing of concrete mortar makes individual serial production possible. This creates a huge increase in design freedom. Pieter: “The magic word is smarter construction, including parametric design. This is a process in which models or designs are automatically generated based on parameters, such as dimensions, material thickness or geometry. The print robot can vary endlessly based on different parameters. For example, you can give all the columns of a bridge or viaduct a different shape. Moreover, the printer only lays concrete where it is needed for structural strength. We therefore achieve savings of 30 to 40 percent. Formwork is also no longer needed, so there is also no waste.”

The printed elements for the outflow basin on transport.

Furthermore, according to Pieter, the whole process is faster and the margin of error decreases. During the design process, everyone is looking at the same design. Changes are immediately calculated and applied digitally. “You press ‘Ctrl+P’ at the end, so to speak, and the printer immediately starts production. For the construction site, the most important thing is that less time is needed on site, so also less man hours. This means faster, but also safer work, and construction becomes more attractive to young people through automation and robotisation. Another advantage is that you need fewer people on the construction site, which is important in these times of scarcity of skilled workers.”

Future

Pieter Bakker concludes, “I am convinced that 3D concrete printing is claiming its place in the market. The technology is no longer in its infancy, but we also really have plenty of challenges ahead of us.”

Click here to read the whole article (in Dutch)

Discover our newest 3D printed slopestairs

Did you know that 3D printed slopestairs have a lot of advantages? The biggest advantage is CO2-reduction because this slopestair has a 60% lower footprint instead of regular prefab staircases. In addition, we do not use reinforcement steel and less concrete is used by printing ‘hollow’ steps. 

 

Below we show you three project we have released last months. These examples truly showcase the value of 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP).

Slopestairs - Bitgum | 3D.Weber

Slopestairs in Bitgum

Three 3D printed slope stairs have been installed in the Frisian village of Bitgum. The stairs are placed in three different places by Cnossen Infra BV.

Slopestairs in Brielle

Leander Mackloet of Waterschap Hollandse Delta commissioned new slopestairs. The staircase leads to the control box of a pumping station.
3D printed slopestairs Brielle
3D printed slopestairs in Saambeek

Slopestairs in Saambeek

Wim Van der aa of contracting company Gebr van der Aa bv placed a staircase at a pumping station for the Water Board Aa en Maas.

Advantages of a 3D printed slope staircase:

  • 30% Cheaper than regular prefab staircases;
  • Delivered within two weeks;
  • Tailor made;
  • More than 50% more sustainable than regular prefab staircases;
  • Very easy to handle and assemble;
  • Fully comply with the dutch building regislations, we can tailor make the staircase bases on local regislations.

Are 3D printed slopestairs the fitting solution for your project? Or do you want to know more about the possibilties of 3D printed slopestairs? Request our infopaper or contact our projectleader Jean Pierre van Dongen: +31 6 15076705 or jeanpierre.vandongen@weberbeamix.nl.

Receive infopaper 3D-printed slopestairs

Will you be our next intern?

Looking for an exciting internship opportunity? Join our team at Weber 3D Concrete Printing Factory!

As an intern, you’ll gain hands-on experience in the cutting-edge field of 3D concrete printing. You’ll work alongside experienced professionals and learn about the latest technology and techniques used in the industry. You’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to real projects and see your work come to life.


If you’re passionate about construction and technology, this is the internship for you. Apply now and take the first step in your career in 3D concrete printing.

We are looking for interns in following areas (HBO):

Does this intership match your wishes and expectations? Send your resume and a short introduction to: jakub.pawlowicz@saint-gobain.com.

Modern Burj al-Hamam breaks record at the Floriade

This unique object has earned with this a well-deserved place in the Guinness World Records book. The ‘pigeon tower’ was designed by Dar & the Expo Pavilion group and printed by Saint-Gobain Weber Beamix in Eindhoven.

The Pigeon Tower

The 3D printed Burj al-Hamam pays tribute to the traditionally built pigeon towers in Qatar and is characterized by its special, architectural shape. During the migration season, the tower provides a shelter for more than a thousand pigeons. At the same time, it provides an ecological way of farming. Thanks to the clever construction, the pigeon droppings can be collected and used as fertilizer for local farms. Visitors to the Floriade can also get to know the 3D printed structure and construction inside and up close. Since many wild pigeons now gratefully use the tower, access is of course entirely at your own risk.

Groundbreaking design


The Burj al-Hamam was built without steel reinforcement or poured concrete. At 12.1 meters it is the highest 3D printed tower in the world. This is confirmed by a measurement by an official of Guinness World Records. To further reduce the carbon footprint, Saint-Gobain Weber Beamix has significantly reduced the energy requirement of the production process and the amount of material. As a result, up to 60% less CO2 was emitted for the towers than with the traditional way of building. In this way, the Weber Beamix concrete printing factory has pushed the boundaries of concrete printing even further.

 

Tower specifications

 

Total No. elements             65 pcs

Weight                                  56 tons

Volume                                 26 m3

Print time                             107 hours

3DCP mortar                        W160-3D

3DCP Factory                       Saint-Gobain Weber Beamix Eindhoven

Design                                   Dar & Expo Pavilion group

Construction Eng.               Witteveen+Bos

3DCP Eng.                             Saint-Gobain Weber Beamix

Constructor                          KPM3