Sand moulds!

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Shaping sand. Another innovative project that Vertico is proud to be part of. This time printing lattice structures on moulds formed by our robot.

Thank you to Cristina Nan, Juliette Bekkering, Neutelings Riedijk Architects and NWO (Dutch Research Council).

Cristina summarises it best:

"With our research we address the urgent need for circular construction, reduction of raw-material usage for concrete formwork and the development of optimised material depositing strategies to undercut concrete usage. Sand is used as reusable moulds and substructures for 3DCP, thus renouncing the need for traditional timber scaffolding or plastic-based moulding for casting concrete."

We will share more soon enough!

Consortium:

Principal Investigators: assistant professor Cristina Nan and professor Juliette Bekkering, involved in aspects of design, computation and robotic fabrication — Chair of Architectural Design and Engineering (ADE), Eindhoven University of Technology;

Neutelings Riedijk Architects — an award-winning architecture practice based in Rotterdam specialising in complex building design, with Michiel Riedijk and ChaoYu Huang, design development

Summum Engineering — engineer and robotic fabrication expert Alessio Vigorito

Vertico — 3D concrete printing company based in Eindhoven with 3D concrete printing specialists Kees Leemeijer and Orestis Pavlidis

BetonhuisCindy Vissering

Funding body: NWO (Dutch Research Council)

Photography: Kees Leemeijer, Vertico

FAQ About the Printheads

Do I need an HMI for printing with Accelerated printhead?

Yes, an HMI (Human-Machine Interface) guides you through the entire 3D printing process with 2-component materials—from preparation to printing and cleaning. It provides real-time data from the printhead’s sensors, giving you full control over the printing process by monitoring key parameters such as accelerant pressure, material flow, etc.

Where can I get materials for 1K printing?

We are open to working with various suppliers, and our experience with multiple market-available materials allows us to offer feedback and local reseller recommendations.

What is the biggest advantage of the Accelerator Printhead compared to a standard one?

The Accelerator Printhead unlocks unparalleled design freedom, allowing for large overhangs, intricate patterns, and complex geometries—perfect for architecture and custom design. It also enables rapid curing, reducing production time while maintaining high precision and structural integrity.

What materials can be used with the Accelerator Printhead?

We have developed a high-resolution, stable material specifically optimized for the Accelerator Printhead. When you purchase a machine, we provide our material recipe free of charge for your local production. Additionally, you can use any suitable material available on the market, offering flexibility for different projects and requirements.

What software does Vertico provide, and is it included with the machine?

Vertico offers an advanced in-house slicer software, designed to handle even the most complex 3D concrete printing projects. Our software comes license-free with every machine purchase, along with full training to ensure you can maximize its potential.

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