“Third Thumb” Augmentation Changes the Way we Think of Prosthetics
Nearly a year ago Shanghai-based manufacturing company WinSun announced the successful development of 10 houses in only 24 hours using a 3D printer. They weren’t the best looking houses, given their simplicity, but it marked a turning point for the 3D printing market, transitioning itself from being an industry of small items to the industry of architecture. From then on, everyone knew that [easyazon_link asin=”B00I8NM6JO” locale=”US” new_window=”yes” nofollow=”default” tag=”seriou03-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”yes”]3D printers[/easyazon_link] would change the world.
Several months later, WinSun returns with their latest success story for both architecture and 3D printers alike: the development of an 1,100 square meter (11,840 square foot) villa and a five-story residential building!
According to CNET:
“This process saves between 30 and 60 percent of construction waste, and can decrease production times by between 50 and 70 percent, and labour costs by between 50 and 80 percent. In all, the villa costs around $161,000 to build.”
Displayed in Suzhou Industrial Park, both WinSun’s villa and residential building were designed with hollow walls, consisting of zig-zagging patterns to accommodate for insulation space. Like the 10 homes before, the company used a mixture of ground construction and industrial waste, coupled with quick-drying cement and a special hardening agent, to develop these buildings.
The 3D printer used, which was developed by WinSun’s CEO Ma Yihe, stands 6.6 meters (22 ft) high, 10 meters (33 ft) wide, and 40 meters (131 ft) long.
FUTURE IMPLICATIONS
3D printers have, for the last few years, wowed the entire world with their patent-destroying design capabilities. From small toys to prosthetic bones, the market for 3D printing hasn’t been this amazing in its entire history of existence. With it now finally making its way into the industry of architecture, we’re witnessing a 3D printer’s highest capability yet – cars, homes, and very soon functional organs. Suzhou Industrial Park’s villa and residential building is merely the beginning of a bright and beautiful (3D printed) future!
About the author
B.J. Murphy is the Editor and Social Media Manager of Serious Wonder. He is a futurist, philosopher, activist, author and poet. B.J. is an Affiliate Scholar for the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies (IEET) and an Ambassador for the robotics company Humai.
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