China3D printingTexas-based construction firm ICON has partnered with the U.S. government-backed Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to demonstrate at the Camp Pendleton Marine base.3D printingmilitary applications.
Working with DIU, ICON has trained eight Marine Corps personnel to use its concrete3D printingmachine. Despite limited engineering experience, the troops successfully printed the vehicle’s leather construction from scratch in just 36 hours. Following a successful demonstration, the technology can now be adopted by the U.S. Armed Forces to support its military operations around the world.
Jeremiah Diacogiannis, DIU program manager and U.S. Navy Lieutenant, said: “There are commercial technologies that offer superior advantages in robotic construction, but few new ones that bring all the necessary aspects together. Technology can make buildings instantly accessible to novices.
The design of new structures, from shields to bridges, can be completed in a relatively short period of time and executed by a robotic system at the push of a button. “
Icon’s3D printingwagon structure
Over the last year, ICON has been working with DIU to develop new military applications for a range of commercial additive manufacturing technologies. The program has seen ICON, DIU and the United States Marine Corps (USMC) experiment with 3D robotics, modeling software and advanced materials to build various prototype structures.
As part of the program, eight Marines are trained to use ICON’s 3,800-pound Vulcan 3D printingmachine, including its operating software and material transfer subsystem. The purpose of this meeting is to prepare the troops for a live demonstration in which they will create a potentially important structure for future military expeditions.
exist3D printingAfter the crash course, the Marines were tasked with building a wagon structure consisting of a series of concrete arches. In just a few hours of field training, the soldiers managed to operate the equipment from start to finish, and ICON’s team only showed up in a supervisory capacity.
The goal of this project is to complete the printing process within 40-48 hours. Some time had been set aside to troubleshoot and speed up the Marines, but the Marines managed to complete the build in 36 hours. The Marines were also able to quickly master operating the ICON, although an upgrade to the printer’s material delivery system did speed up the process. 3D printingBasic knowledge of machines.
The Marine Corps used a proprietary cement-based material, Lavacrete, to build four separate arches, which were later joined to create the vehicle’s leather structure measuring 26′ long x 13′ wide x 15′ high. Icon’s3D printingThe technology has proven that it can be adopted and applied by relatively new people, so it could be used in many U.S. military applications in the future.
“This marks the first time a non-ICON employee has been the primary operator of our equipment, and they have done an excellent job of printing vehicle masking structures,” concludes Michael Harper, Director of Field Operations at ICON. “understood3D printingWith what can be done, the Marine Corps has great ideas for other applications for the technology, and we can’t wait to help make those ideas a reality. “
The U.S. Marine Corps (pictured) led the printing process under the watch of the ICON team. Shot via ICON.
Architecture of ICON3D printingTechnology
ICON has a proven track record in producing concrete structures using its Vulcan additive manufacturing technology.In 2018, the company reportedly3D printingA home in Austin, Texas for less than $4,000 was printed in just 48 hours. VC firm Oakhouse Partners realizes ICON 3D printingThe potential of the technology, led a $9 million investment later that year.
The company also has a partnership with New Story, a nonprofit that works with Latin American3D printingThe factory fought.Working together, these organizations designed, planned and built what they called “the world’s first3D printingCommunity”. The partners continued their collaboration in January 2020 to create affordable housing for local Mexican families living in extreme poverty.
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