Source: ETH ZurichResearchers from ETH Zurich in Switzerland have developed an autonomous system that combines the speed of 3D printing and the precision of casting to create intricate prefabricated concrete slabs for the construction industry.

The system, dubbed Fast Complexity, enables the 3D printing of concrete that sets fast without the need for formwork, or casting, wherein liquid concrete is poured into a mold to solidify.

According to developers, the material is digitally controlled, turning a fluid concrete mixture into quick hardening concrete. In other words, the system dynamically controls the 3D-printed concrete’s rate of setting. As it is extruded, the fluid concrete can mimic the structure of a cast or formwork, resulting in complex designs that can be achieved without the typical amount of concrete, thereby eliminating waste.

To see how Fast Complexity works, watch the accompanying video that appears courtesy of ETH Zurich.