Dubai-Based Firm Sets Goal To Build Word's First 3D Printed Skyscraper

 to build the world’s first 3D printed skyscraper in their home town.

According to construction week online, construction tech firm Cazza's plan is put a new construction technique into action, called 'crane printing', which involves the use of cranes with added units that are specifically created for building 3D printed structures 80 metres and above.

“When we first thought of implementing 3D printing technologies, we were mostly thinking of houses and low-rise buildings," Cazza CEO Chris Kelsey said.

“Developers kept asking us if it was possible to build a 3D printed skyscraper. This led us to begin researching how we could adapt the technologies for taller structures.

“Through our technologies, we will be able to build architecturally complex buildings at never-before seen speeds. It is all about economies of scale where the initial high technology costs will reduce as we enter the mass-production phase," he said.

Cazza mechanical engineer Xavier Hernand told construction week online that the material side leaves vast possibilities with concrete and steel being just one of many materials that can be used with 3D printing.

Cazza’s crane printing process will take care of specific parts of the building initially, with existing methods used for the rest of construction, but Cazza said that the 3D printing they plan to adopt will potentially take care of all major structural components required for tall buildings, including reinforcement with steel rebar.

In a move to save time, money and logistics, the crane printing method will be able to utilise existing crane infrastructure which will remove any need to create cranes from scratch.

According to construction week online, Cazza is known for producing a 3D printing construction system that combines the use of mobile 3D printing robots with existing construction methods to make construction processes faster, more cost-effective, and environmentally friendly.

In 2016 the company made a deal with the Dubai Government which would see the two work together to push 3D printing in construction into the mainstream.

Information on the UAE-bound crane printed building including height and commencement of work has not been revealed.

“We are adding new features to make it adaptable to high wind speeds along with the use of our layer smoothing system that creates completely flat surfaces. You won’t know its 3D printed," Mr Kelsey said.