We’ve read all about WASP’s mission to solve the world’s housing issues by creating a 3D printer that can use local resources to build living quarters with minimum energy requirements. Now, that project has inched a little closer to reality with the introduction of a new rotating extruder.
Creating clay houses in which to live has been the company’s mission from the very beginning, even inspiring its name (World’s Advanced Saving Project). It has evolved over the years, providing invaluable information to improve the smaller commercial delta 3D printers the company sells to finance it.
Although other companies have already developed large size cartesian 3D printers capable of building entire multiple storey houses, WASP’s goal is to develop a system that can 3D print in any situation, even in extreme conditions, such as those found in some parts of central Africa.
That is why, from the very beginning of their BigBigDelta project, WASP opted to work on the much lighter and more (up to 10 times) energy efficient delta architecture, which can be easily transported and assembled in any location. The new extruder is a another step in this direction.
It has been completely redesigned to meet even more rigid energy conservation requirements; it rotates and will be even able to clean itself after use. It can be assembled and disassembled in a very short time and will rely on a constant speed control system.
The technical solution currently experimented on a 6-meter delta – and recently exhibited at Milan’s 3D Print Hub fair – can be scaled up and applied on the largest delta currently in development, a gigantic machine 12-meters tall. Knowing how dedicated Massimo Moretti and his team are, it should be ready very soon.
