London large-scale 3D printer provider Ai Build has announced a partnership with 3DVinci Creations, a 3D printing service bureau based in Dubai.
Within this partnership, 3DVinci Creations will distribute Ai Build’s Factory-as-a-Service subscription within the United Arab Emirates (UAE). One of the expected outcomes of the collaboration is the application of Ai Build’s technology to realize Dubai’s vision for 2025 in which at least 25% of every new building in the city will be 3D printed.
Daghan Cam, CEO of Ai Build, comments, “Dubai has been at the forefront of 3D printing scene in the last few years, especially in construction.”
“We are very excited to become a part of this bold vision for the future of 3D printing set out by governments and authorities in the region. As a fast-growing company, working with strong partners is critical for our success.”
The 3D printing Factory-as-a-Service
As the name suggests, Ai Build technology uses artificial intelligence to program robots to build 3D printed structures. Its core hardware is the AiMaker machine, a KUKA arm operated system available in small, medium and large AiCell enclosures. The build dimensions of these machines are as follows:
– Small, 800 mm x 600 mm
– Medium, 1200 mm x 800 mm
– Large, 1600 mm x 1200 mm
Added to AiMaker is the company’s AiSync software, a cloud platform that allows users to remotely activate, monitor, simulate and control the AiBuild 3D printing process, and create models using generative design (which is presumably where the AI comes in).
Together, these parts make Ai Build’s Factory-as-a-Service model, which is available on a four-tier subscription plan, with grades depending on size of hardware, enclosure and robotic arm required.
Additive in construction
As a service bureau, 3DVinci Creations helps customers with their prototyping, product development, construction and reverse engineering projects. For these purposes, the company provides polymer 3D printing and concrete 3D printing, as well as training and certification. In addition to its headquarters in Dubai, 3DVinci Creations also operates out of Beirut, Lebanon. Its portfolio up to now includes a number of architectural modelling applications, custom trophy making, scale models, engineering prototypes and medical models.
As previously stated by Cam, one of the hopes of this new collaboration is to expand 3DVinci’s reach within construction. Edouard Baaklini, CEO of 3DVinci Creations, explains, “This agreement with Ai Build is an opportunity to bring quality large scale 3D printing closer to users in the region in order to reap the benefits it brings to the local market in terms of reduced labor costs, reduced material waste, sustainable eco-friendly additive manufacturing, use of recycled plastics, improved design capabilities, and reduced duration of production.”
Ai Build architecture
Architecturally, Ai Build is experienced in the creation of largely expressive and sculptural structures, like the Cloud Pergola exhibited at the 2018 Venice Biennale, and Zaha Hadid Architects’ experimental Thallus structure for Milan Design Week 2017.
Also in 2017, the company experimented with architectural interiors for recycled-material handbag store Bottletop.
Dubai’s vision, though ambitious, is certainly encouraging many within the region to think differently about construction. The city has also developed a Smart Buildability Index that could brings standards to 3D printing for this purpose.
Concluding his statement on this new partnership Cam, at Ai Build, comments, “The distribution agreement with 3DVinci Creations allows us to bring our disruptive technology into this vibrant market with an experienced key player in the region for large scale 3D printing.”
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Featured image shows the Daedalus Pavilion by Ai Build. Photo via Ai Build
