3D Printing Made Easy With Standard Concrete By Start-up

The company said that just 0.25% of 3D-Admix can make normal concrete change into SpaceCrete mix.

SpaceCrete, based in California, has created a system that makes 3D printing with regular concrete possible. The company was founded by Michael Butler, a civil engineer and inventor. This system includes an admixture and inline-delivery mechanism. This technique is also known as rapid slip forming.

The report says that the system cannot be bought yet. But, it has US patents and is waiting for EU patents.

Butler said that they work with machine control and finished concrete structure. They made a new admixture and delivery system. This helps to shape concrete vertically without traditional forming. This shape can be made with simple or advanced construction hardware. They can also use new tech like 3D printing. All of this is done using normal concrete.

SpaceCrete system modifies concrete using inline mixing and 3D-Admix. Only 0.25% of 3D-Admix is needed to turn regular concrete into SpaceCrete, says Butler.

He said that when SpaceCrete has a five-inch slump, it becomes zero slump when it's being moved but it still can be pumped and handled with ease due to extreme shear thinning. He explained that with this property, SpaceCrete can be vibrated and consolidated completely, resulting in a strong and stable vertical structure.

SpaceCrete lets you pile up pumped concrete straight up without the need for forming. This creates new opportunities for building with this material.

Butler said that even regular concrete can be used for 3D printing with a small amount of 3D-Admix. You can also use pumpable concrete for fast vertical construction without needing form pressure after vibration.

Butler suggests that with a vertical screed rail, you can establish a concrete vertical plane quickly while pumping it.

You can put hard concrete walls on uneven ground or foam panels with SpaceCrete. People who weren't sure before have been impressed by this new idea. 3D-printing mortar is more expensive and less environmentally friendly. We use a quick and efficient method called rapid-light slip forming, not 3D-printing.

Butler says SpaceCrete is compliant with US codes and is a better choice than harmful shotcrete.

Butler is searching for commercial partners to enhance SpaceCrete and offer it for sale. They concentrate on research and development and lack the funds to bring it to market. They desire to collaborate with a construction enterprise with substantial marketing and manufacturing capability. In doing so, they want to share their knowledge, trade secrets, and intellectual property.

SpaceCrete is providing samples of 3D-Admix now. The amount available is small according to the report.