ambitious plans by MX3D to 3D print metal bridge modeled by joris laarman

ambitious plans by MX3D to 3D print metal bridge modeled by joris laarman
image courtesy of joris laarman for MX3D

heijmans, a dutch construction and civil engineering company and design software company autodesk have teamed up with local startup MX3D to create a 3D printed steel bridge that will be located in the centre of amsterdam, netherlands. the bridge will incorporate complex geometries that will be designed by joris laarman lab. ‘i strongly believe in the future of digital production and local production, in “the new craft”,’ describes joris laarman. ‘this bridge will show how 3D printing finally enters the world of large-scale, functional objects and sustainable materials while allowing unprecedented freedom of form. the symbolism of the bridge is a beautiful metaphor to connect the technology of the future with the old city, in a way that brings out the best of both worlds.’ the project will display innovative ways of building and a natural step in realizing a more automatic construction site.

MX3D will equip the multi axis industrial robots with 3D printing tools and developed software so that they can print metals, plastics and combinations of materials in any format. the advanced technique will be a cost effect and scalable, and will offer creative robotic solutions for art, construction and more. ‘heijmans realises things must change,’ says infra innovation manager, jurre van der ven. ‘we are perfectly compatible with MX3D because we share the same outlook and will be able to realise it together. we are able to offer knowledge and know what the market wants. they are involved in other types of production and want to scale up from furniture to a bridge. we will be testing for the first two years, but want to effectively start printing the bridge in year three.’ the 3D printed bridge can be followed at the visitor center that will be open from september 2015. 

the technique will offer creative robotic solutions for art, construction and more 
image courtesy of MX3D / adriaan de groot

MX3D will equip the multi axis industrial robots 
image courtesy of joris laarman for MX3D

the steel bridge that will be located in the centre of amsterdam, netherlands 
image courtesy of joris laarman for MX3D

joris laarman and sketches of his bridge blueprints 
image courtesy of heijmans

variations of 3D printed bridge 
image courtesy of joris laarman for MX3D

a closer look at the steel composite 
image courtesy of MX3D

MX3D’s 3D printing robots 
image courtesy of MX3D / adriaan de groot

the bridge will incorporate complex geometries 
image courtesy of MX3D / adriaan de groot

they can print metals, plastics and combinations of materials in any format 
image courtesy of MX3D / adriaan de groot

the project will display innovative ways of building and a natural step in realizing a more automatic construction site
image courtesy of joris laarman Lab/ adriaan de groot

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UPDATE:
tim geurt jens, co-founder of joris laarman lab and MX3D was a speaker at the 2015 business of design week conference in hong kong.