Danish 3D printing construction company COBOD International has sold a BOD2 to Saudi Arabian construction company Elite for Construction & Development Co. The BOD2, reportedly the biggest construction 3D printer in the world, will be delivered to Elite by the end of May, 2019.
Elite placed the order of the BOD2 from COBOD in order to fulfil Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to improve the country’s economy and housing through pillars of innovations, i.e., modern construction techniques. Furthermore, the acquisition of the BOD2 3D printer is also a response to Saudi Arabia’s construction programme that aims to build 1.5 million homes in the next 10 years.
Henrik Lund-Nielsen, CEO of COBOD International stated “We are very proud to receive this order from Saudi Arabia, which again confirms that our second generation BOD2 3D construction printer is second to none.”
“Not only is the BOD2 the fastest 3D construction printer in the world, but the modular approach of the BOD2 allowed us to deliver the size that Elite For Construction & Development wanted.”
New ground for 3D construction
COBOD, originally established by Danish 3D printing reseller, service provider and developer 3D Printhuset, launched the BOD2 3D printer in 2018 as an upgrade to the BOD, which produced the first 3D printed building in Europe in 2017.
The BOD2 3D printer can print buildings with measurements of 12m in width, 27m in length and 9m in height. COBOD also claim that the machine can produce three storey buildings in one go, with each storey capable of being more than 300 square meters in length.
With the BOD2 3D printer now in the hands of Elite, several private and public organizations within Saudi Arabia are looking to make use of the 3D printing technology, provided it is made available locally on a permanent basis.
Henrik Lund-Nielsen added “The sheer size of the new printer is impressive. This will by far be the biggest 3D construction printer ever made and with the printer Elite For Construction & Development Co. will be able to do construction projects previously unthinkable for a 3D construction printer. When compared to the BOD building we did, it is clear that Elite for Construction & Development Co. is taking 3D construction printing into brand new territories.”
“With this printer they will be capable of gaining a leading position not only for the 3D construction printing of private houses, but also for medium sized offices and public buildings like museums, schools etc.”
Building the Middle East with 3D printing
Recently, construction 3D printing has made various developments within the Middle East. The Saudi Arabia Ministry of Housing has also approved Al Kathiri Holding, a Middle Eastern building materials company, to develop and utilize 3D printed concrete for government-based projects.
Furthermore the order of the BOD2 3D printer in Saudi Arabia presents an extension of COBOD’s operations in the Middle East. Recently, the company signed a distribution agreement with 3DVinciCreations, a Dubai-based 3D printing service bureau. 3DVinci Creations will sell COBOD’s construction systems in the UAE. The distribution deal between the two companies is helping to realize Dubai’s vision for 2025, in which at least 25% of every new building in the city will feature the use of 3D printing.
3DVinciCreations has engaged in further partnerships to continue fulfilling Dubai’s 3D printing vision. The service bureau will also distribute London large-scale 3D printer provider Ai Build’s Factory-as-a-Service subscription within the UAE.
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Featured image shows the BOD2 3D construction printer compared to the BOD building. Image via COBOD.
