FOUR ROBOTS, SIX MONTHS, A 3D PRINTER, AND ONE BRIDGE

Back in June 2015, the full span of MX3D's announced the ambitious, fully functional, 3D printed metal bridge. Designed by Joris Laarman Lab, the preview of the stainless steel construction already hints at its vast size, as well as complex, strong and graceful geometries. The bridge is scheduled to be installed in 2019, where it will span across Oudezijds Achterburgwal, which is one of the oldest and most famous canals of Amsterdam, Netherlands.

"I strongly believe in the future of digital production and local production, in 'the new craft'," describes Joris Layman, when announcing the project back in 2015. "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."

By using specially designed MX3D software and multi-axis industrial robots, it took these four robotic-arm-machines six months of printing in order to complete the full span of the metal bridge. Measuring 12.5 meters in length and 6.3 meters in width, the final design of the metal bridge weighs 4,500 kg and uses over 1100 km of wire. Before being installed in 2019, the next phase of the bridge will be development testing, where its structural integrity will be verified.

MX3D have more plans to 3D print several more bridges in the future, though details have not yet been announced.