Industrial robots hit 3D printing, real cases tell you not to work

3D technology has long been seen as the ultimate goal of intelligent development. Many people believe that future society will be dominated by 3D printing, where we’ll shop using our own 3D-printed vehicles, live in homes built with 3D-printed materials, and use furniture made through this innovative process. However, while the vision is inspiring, the reality remains challenging. Due to technical limitations and immaturity, many of these ideas are still far from being realized. Still, several companies continue to push forward, driven by the potential of this groundbreaking technology. Two years ago, MX3D announced an ambitious project: building a steel bridge designed by Joris Laarman using 3D printing. The initiative has been progressing steadily and is expected to be completed in the near future. The company, along with its main investor, Autodesk, has shared updates on their progress, revealing how remarkable the development has been. Throughout the process, numerous challenges have been overcome, and the future of 3D printing looks more promising than ever. This bridge serves as a perfect example of industrial application. It’s not just a prototype—it’s proof that 3D printing can be used for large-scale steel structures, from shipbuilding to offshore oil rigs. Achieving such results requires not only advanced software but also robots capable of learning and adapting during the printing process. “We’re about to make a major breakthrough in the size of printable objects, which will significantly advance 3D printing applications,” said Gijs van der Velden, manager at JI3D. MX3D, originally part of Joris Laarman Lab, is now focused on commercializing large-scale steel printing. When Laarman first designed the bridge, it featured lattice-like columns resembling ice crystals. Located near Amsterdam’s historic red-light district, the structure was initially intended to be a unique piece of art. However, due to concerns about the design’s impact on the canal bed, the bridge had to be re-engineered. The final version is now a more conventional pedestrian bridge, yet it still retains the original aesthetic curvature and distortion—something only possible with 3D printing. This showcases the limitless potential of the technology to partners and clients alike. One of the biggest challenges in 3D printing steel is creating large, complex shapes. While some might assume this is a hardware issue, it’s actually more about software. Industrial robots are widely available and easy to access, but getting them to produce high-performance components is another story. The physical properties of iron change when melted, making layer-by-layer printing difficult. Repeated heating makes the metal brittle, so the approach needs to be completely different. MX3D has developed a new method where the robot prints in already cooled areas, allowing for more efficient production. The printer no longer waits for steel to cool in one spot, which doubles its productivity. The result looks almost like a spider weaving a web, but it's much more precise and adaptable. The next challenge involves complex 3D geometries, which are hard to predict. Machine learning is helping solve this problem. MX3D’s robots are equipped with sensors that monitor temperature, current, and weld location. By combining this data with machine learning algorithms, the system can identify potential issues in real time and adjust accordingly. As van der Velden explains, “You can solve obvious problems when creating a print file, but the machine itself can detect and resolve issues as they happen.” While 3D-printed steel won’t replace traditional methods in most construction projects, it holds great value in specialized areas. For instance, offshore oil rigs require highly complex support structures, and 3D printing allows for optimized designs that reduce weight and cost. A component that weighs 6000 kg can be reduced to 5000 kg, enabling the use of different lifting equipment and cutting costs significantly. This applies to large parts like ship rotors as well, where internal optimization brings substantial benefits. Back to the bridge, it’s not just a visual marvel—it’s a demonstration of what 3D printing can achieve in large-scale, complex structures. Funded by Autodesk and led by MX3D, the project has attracted dozens of investors who see its potential. While it may not revolutionize everything, it highlights new possibilities that were once unimaginable. As van der Velden says, “This isn’t magic, but we’re finding important new applications that truly work.”

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