Energy News  
TECH SPACE
3D printing drones work like bees to build and repair structures while flying
by Staff Writers
London, UK (SPX) Sep 22, 2022

illustration only

The technology, which has been tested in the lab, could ultimately be used for manufacturing and building in difficult-to-access or dangerous locations such as tall buildings or help with post-disaster relief construction, say the researchers.

3D printing is gaining momentum in the construction industry. Both on-site and in the factory, static and mobile robots print materials for use in construction projects, such as steel and concrete structures.

This new approach to 3D printing - led in its development by Imperial and Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories of Materials Science and Technology - uses flying robots, known as drones, that use collective building methods inspired by natural builders like bees and wasps who work together to create large, intricate structures.

The drones in the fleet, known collectively as Aerial Additive Manufacturing (Aerial-AM), work co-operatively from a single blueprint, adapting their techniques as they go. They are fully autonomous while flying but are monitored by a human controller who checks progress and intervenes if necessary, based on the information provided by the drones.

Lead author Professor Kovac, of Imperial's Department of Aeronautics and Empa's Materials and Technology Center of Robotics said: "We've proved that drones can work autonomously and in tandem to construct and repair buildings, at least in the lab. Our solution is scalable and could help us to construct and repair building in difficult-to-reach areas in the future."

Printing 3D geometries
Aerial-AM uses both a 3D printing and path-planning framework to help the drones adapt to variations in geometry of the structure as a build progresses. The fleet consists of BuilDrones, which deposit materials during flight, and quality-controlling ScanDrones that continually measure the BuilDrones' output and inform their next manufacturing steps.

To test the concept, the researchers developed four bespoke cementitious mixtures for the drones to build with.

Throughout the build, the drones assessed the printed geometry in real time and adapted their behaviour to ensure they met the build specifications, with manufacturing accuracy of five millimetres.

The proof-of-concept prints included a 2.05-metre high cylinder (72 layers) with a polyurethane-based foam material, and an 18-centimetre high cylinder (28 layers) with a custom-designed structural cementitious material.

The technology offers future possibilities for building and repairing structures in tall or other hard-to-access locations. Next, the researchers will work with construction companies to validate the solutions and provide repair and manufacturing capabilities.

Professor Kovac said: "We believe our fleet of drones could help reduce the costs and risks of construction in the future, compared to traditional manual methods."

Research Report:Aerial Additive Manufacturing with Multiple Autonomous Robots


Related Links
Imperial College London
Space Technology News - Applications and Research


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


TECH SPACE
Porosity in metals additively manufactured by laser powder bed fusion
Shenzhen, China (SPX) Sep 12, 2022
Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, also known as 3D printing, is a rising star in the field of manufacturing technology. AM technologies are renowned for lifting the geometric constraints of design and fabricating products directly from digital models. Materials are "added" up during AM processing, making it the distinguishing feature that opposed to traditional subtractive and formative manufacturing. Various materials including metals, intermetallics, polymers, ceramics, and composites, c ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

TECH SPACE
Climate activists block superyacht marina in French Riviera

White House rebukes World Bank chief in climate row

Pressure grows after World Bank chief dodges climate questions

Social media greenwashing by fossil fuel interests 'rampant': study

TECH SPACE
Recycling materials: turning old batteries into new ones

Mongolia completes rail crossing with China to boost coal exports

Lead battery paired with hydrogen-generating technology offers power to off-grid communities

MIT students contribute to success of historic fusion experiment

TECH SPACE
Spain, UK making headway on renewable energy: report

Europe and China operate the largest number of offshore wind farms

A new method boosts wind farms' energy output, without new equipment

TECH SPACE
Gwangju researchers pave the way for large-scale, efficient organic solar cells with water treatment

InventHelp inventor develops snow removal tool for solar panels

Rooftop solar cells can be a boon for water conservation too

Plan to research solar power from space

TECH SPACE
Hungary opposes EU sanctions on Russian nuclear sector

Belgium shuts down nuclear reactor despite energy doubts

IAEA, Western powers air growing worries on Ukraine nuclear plant

UN nuclear watchdog urges Ukraine safety zone talks this week

TECH SPACE
Climate change risking availability of key alternative fuel source, study says

Turning fish waste into quality carbon-based nanomaterial

Brazilian scientists reveal method of converting methane gas into liquid methanol

MSU researchers create method for breaking down plant materials for earth-friendly energy

TECH SPACE
Petrol stations: running out of road?

Green protest hits DR Congo ahead of climate summit

Indigenous Australians win court battle against fossil fuel firm

UN raises funds to salvage stricken oil tanker off Yemen

TECH SPACE
Indigenous activists raise climate awareness on sidelines of UNGA

Prince William cites queen's love for environment in climate plea

Why are climate activists calling for reparations

Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, the reluctant businessman









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.