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The "3D printer" pulls up walls with a nozzle
Photo: Guido Kirchner / dpa
In Beckum, North Rhine-Westphalia, according to the state government of Germany, the first residential building is being built from the 3D printer.
The device, from the nozzle of which comes special mortar or concrete, prints the walls of the two-story single-family house layer by layer.
The project is funded with 200,000 euros, the hope is for experience that should be exemplary for the entire construction industry, said the State Ministry of Building.
The printer can be used flexibly and is faster than conventional construction methods because no more stone on stone has to be set.
He can do one square meter in five minutes.
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A nozzle applies mortar and concrete
Photo: Guido Kirchner / dpa
In Beckum, the first walls of the house with about 80 square meters of later living space per floor are being built.
The applied layers are only a few centimeters thick.
Overall, the printer should ensure that the resources required for building are reduced.
It is still unclear whether 3D printing will save costs
The ministry is hoping that the project will provide experience that will be exemplary for the entire construction industry.
In several countries, for example in the USA or Belgium, there are already buildings made from a 3D printer.
According to the ministry, however, it still has to be determined in pilot projects whether the printer's performance is financially viable.
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The foundation walls of the "printed house" are created layer by layer
Photo: Guido Kirchner / dpa
The number of research initiatives is growing according to the information.
The first systems for such automated construction are about to be ready for the market and series production.
According to the ministry, there was an extensive approval process for the house in Beckum.
In order to determine "characteristic values for determining the stability", numerous material tests had taken place at the Technical University of Munich, it said.
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fek / dpa