Rack Structure for In-Field 3D Construction Printer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D construction printing technologies face challenges in height management and material transport, limiting buildings to one or two floors and complicating the construction process with inefficient cement concrete mortar handling and simultaneous installation of water and electricity equipment.
Innovation Solution
A rack structure for an in-field 3D construction printer featuring vertically arranged supporting posts with a lifting mechanism, allowing the printing platform and material storage platform to be elevated and relocated, utilizing a pulley system with steel wire ropes to manage the height and transport of materials efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the 3D printing head rises as the building height increases, then the building height can be increased, but there is no good method to achieve height management, limiting buildings to one or two floors
Solution Approach 1:
The rack structure is designed as a movable platform that can be dynamically adjusted in height. The platform moves vertically along the building facade using lifting mechanisms, allowing continuous adaptation to increasing building height. This dynamic positioning system enables the printing head to maintain optimal working position while the building grows taller.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack structure is divided into modular segments that can be assembled and disassembled. The platform consists of multiple standardized modules that can be stacked or reconfigured, enabling flexible height adjustment and easy maintenance. Each module contains integrated lifting mechanisms and material storage components.
2Ease of manufacture
If cement concrete mortar is used for 3D printing, then building construction can be achieved, but the mortar has poor flow ability and is difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
A material pumping system acts as an intermediary between the mortar storage and the printing head. The pump delivers the viscous cement concrete mortar through pipes to the printing platform, eliminating the need for manual handling or direct transport. This intermediary system overcomes the poor flow properties of the mortar by providing controlled, mechanical delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The material transport system uses hydraulic or pneumatic pumping to move the cement concrete mortar. The pump generates sufficient pressure to overcome the mortar's viscosity and deliver it precisely to the printing head. This allows the use of high-strength, low-flow mortar mixes that would otherwise be impossible to transport.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional step-by-step construction with molds and scaffolds is used, then exterior wall and insulation construction can be achieved, but the construction procedure becomes complicated and construction time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rack structure merges multiple functions into a single integrated system. The platform simultaneously serves as the support structure, material storage facility, and printing head mounting platform. This eliminates the need for separate scaffolding and material handling systems, simplifying the construction procedure and reducing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable rack platform is designed as a universal system that can perform multiple operations. It provides structural support, stores construction materials, houses the printing head, and enables continuous printing as the building rises. This multi-functional design replaces traditional separate systems for scaffolding, material storage, and formwork.
4Ease of manufacture
If plant 3D printing is used to create building members, then some building members can be printed, but this is not field print and requires distance transport of printed members
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of bringing the building materials and structure to the printing head (as in plant printing), the printing head is brought to the building site and materials are delivered to it. The rack platform moves with the building height, creating a mobile field printing system that eliminates the need to transport large printed members from a factory to the construction site.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables continuous 3D printing and material supply, overcoming height limitations and improving construction efficiency by allowing the printing platform and storage platforms to be lifted as needed, reducing material transport distances and facilitating multi-story building construction.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a pulley system with steel wire ropes to manage the height and transport of materials efficiently
Data Source
AI summary
This invention discloses a rack structure for an in-field 3D construction printer, which comprises the vertical supporting posts consisting of connected standard vertical supporting post segments in two rows with symmetrical arrangement, a printing platform, a power and material storage platform, and lifting mechanism; said two rows of the vertical supporting posts are symmetrically arranged and fixed on the ground; the printing platform, and the power supply and material storage platform are fixed on the vertical supporting post through their respective cavities, and then the printing platform and the power and material storage platform are bolted on the vertical supporting post; the steel wire rope runs through a lifting drum, to a pulley block on the side of the power supply and material storage platform, and then from the intermediate pulley block to the pulley block on the side of the printing platform.