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Why isn’t 3D-printing a part of the contemporary building industry? Michela: ‘I admit that there are still lots of cons to 3D-printing as a manufacturing method. Besides from the costs, which are still too high, the techniques aren’t sufficient as well. This manifests itself in a low reliability of the final product.’ Paul: ‘Moreover the general process of the building industry is highly fragmented. That makes innovation quite difficult. You have to get all the partners in line to adopt the new technology. And like Michela said; the safety can’t get certified yet. The building industry wants to avoid every possible risk and that’s understandable. When the safety has been optimized and we offer enough advantages and knowledge to the building industry I am convinced that 3D-printing will take over the world. I have no idea how long this is going to take though.
I can imagine this lab feels like a playground to you. What’s the weirdest thing you have ever 3D-printed? Paul: ‘I once printed a Mandalorian Star Wars bracelet. It was made for the son of a friend, he was very happy with it. A few days ago the University Library asked me to print two chess pieces that went missing. Actually we’re printing a lot of weird stuff.’ Michela: ‘I can’t beat the Star Wars bracelet, but I remember there was a Master student who wanted to print a pure form of wood. He converted this into some kind of paste. It shows the creativity that 3D-printing induces.’
‘I once printed a Mandalorian Star Wars bracelet’
