The Netherlands is about to receive its first 3D printed bridge in Amsterdam invented by Dutch designer Joris Laarman. Engineers from within the Netherlands have printed a 12-metre-long molten steel bridge using robots. This bridge will be installed over one of Amsterdam’s many incredible canals in the old city centre this year.
3D printed bridge in Amsterdam
The company MX3D, a robotic manufacturing technology startup based in Amsterdam, is printing the bridge and has worked with a team of specialists to create this incredible new bridge. The bridge will also incorporate a ‘smart sensor network’, in order to access the health of the bridge, all in real time. This also includes providing information such as the temperature and quality of the air – impressive! It can also monitor how many people cross the bridge.
This data is being used to create a ‘digital twin’ of the bridge, meaning that they are able to record the 3D bridge in real time, send the information to the ‘digital twin’ and then this will help with creating additional 3D printed structures in the future. It also aids with ensuring that the existing 3D bridge will be safe, by using this information to almost ‘keep tabs’ on the whole structure. In short: They’ve basically invented an intelligent bridge.
The future of 3D printing in the Netherlands
This isn’t the first time DutchReview have spoken about incredibly cool 3D printing in this country. There are plans to create 3D printed homes in Eindhoven, which is a great way to try and help to solve the housing crisis we have here in the Netherlands. Now, 3D printing is expanding to medicine, food and housing – wow!
What are your thoughts on this incredible new 3D printed bridge in Amsterdam? Let us know in the comments!
