Construction

BOD3 3D Construction Printer with Material Delivery System Onsite. (Image source: COBOD)

COBOD International, a supplier of 3D printers for the construction sectors, has unveiled the BOD3 3D Construction Printer

For 3D printing of real concrete, the new solution is equipped with an extendable ground-based track system and advances the construction process by eliminating downtime. COBOD, which has more than 80 printers distributed across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Africa, stated that the model is the most advanced 3D printer launched to the market so far and has already been tested in Angola, Indonesia and Bahrain.

The heart and key feature of the new BOD3 3D printer is the advanced extendable ground-based track system. This system enables limitless extension along the Y-axes (length), expanding the printable area to cover two or three buildings, and reducing setup time to a single installation for multi-building projects.

"The global housing crisis demands a more efficient construction solution that is faster, more efficient, and scalable,” remarked Henrik Lund-Nielsen, founder and general manager of COBOD. “The BOD3 is our answer to this challenge. Drawing on years of research and expertise, we’ve designed the BOD3 with innovative features, making it our most cost-effective and efficient model yet for multiple low-rise buildings. Its design supports high-volume, linear production of houses, enabling mass production without compromising quality. The fact that six units have already been sold before its official launch speaks volumes about the BOD3’s market demand and the trust our customers place in our technology.”

Like its predecessors, the BOD3 boasts a modular design that facilitates customisation, enabling it to adapt to customer wishes. Moreover, its operational stand combines the control and monitoring of both the 3D printer and supplementary equipment in one system. The Advanced Hose Management System (AHMS) transports 3D printable material from the materials delivery system to the printhead via hoses secured within E-chains, minimizing physical labor and optimizing material flow. With the addition of the dual dosing system for additives, operators can better control the concrete and adapt it to onsite environmental conditions. By introducing additives directly at the printhead, the system reduces drying time between layers, speeding up the overall construction process.

The field trials carried out so far have proven the solution’s ability to speed up construction and print with real concrete. The customers who deployed the BOD3 – including Power2Build in Angola – also reported faster project execution with near-zero downtime between individual buildings on the same site.

Excitement is building in the construction industry as 3D printing technology continues to prove its worth. Recently, Holcim and Amazon have invested in 14Trees, a company which established a name for itself by pioneering the delivery of the first 3D-printed house in Africa. Click here to discover the full story.

The RogueX2 features a lithium-ion battery, electric drive actuated lift, and tilt kinematics with no hydraulics. (Image source: Bobcat)

Bobcat, a global manufacturer of compact equipment, has received the Red Dot Award: Design Concept winner for RogueX2, an all-electric, fully autonomous concept loader

The Red Dot Design Award is an annual international competition recognising excellence in design and business. Around 20,000 entries are submitted per year, making it one of the biggest design competitions in the world. The Design Concept category is bestowed upon new innovations that are precursors of tomorrow’s great products.

This year, that honour has gone to the RogueX2, a powerful, smart machine from Bobcat that produces zero emissions. Features include a lithium-ion battery, electric drive actuated lift, and tilt kinematics with no hydraulics. The most striking of the solution, however, is the lack of cab. The fully-autonomous concept loader has been designed to work without need of an operator and explores the idea of how work machines of the future can be designed and optimised for new technologies. In this way, it provides a glimpse at an entirely new work experience.

“We are honoured to win the world-renowned Red Dot Award for Design Concept in recognition of the groundbreaking design of the RogueX2,” remarked Joel Honeyman, vice president of global innovation at Doosan Bobcat. “This award is a testament to the dedication of the Bobcat teams who are passionate about pushing design limits and advancing innovation to redefine the machines of tomorrow.

Key to the machine’s development was the Bobcat Global Design Studio, which supported the project in collaboration with the Bobcat Global Innovation team. The solution is currently in the research and development stage, and is not commercially available.

“To build a smarter, more sustainable and connected future, we must ask the questions no one else has thought to ask before and invent new solutions that previously did not exist,” concluded Honeyman.

14Trees 3D printing technology has been building affordable and low-carbon housing and schools in Africa. (Image source: BII)

Innovative startups 14Trees and Paebbl are set to receive investment from Holcim and Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund

14Trees, which was established as a joint venture between Holcim and BII to accelerate the provision of sustainable construction solutions in Africa, will receive funding by Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund as well as a follow-on investment by Holcim. With the company carving a name for itself by pioneering the delivery of the first 3D-printed house in Africa, the world’s first 3D-printed schools, and one of the largest 3D-printed neighbourhoods across the globe, the injection of capital will be used to accelerate its construction of large-scale buildings, including low-carbon data centres.

“We are excited to count Amazon and Holcim as investors in 14 Trees, to take our successful 3D-printed technology from homes and schools to data centers, to deliver low-carbon and high-performance buildings,” remarked Francois Perrot, managing director, 14Trees.

Carbon dioxide concrete storage

Paebbl converts CO2 into a future-proof industrial raw material that turns the built environment into a permanent carbon store. The investment into the company, meanwhile, is part of a broader investment round to scale its advanced mineralisation technology which is designed to permanently store CO2 in concrete as a carbon sink.

Marta Sjögren, co-founder and co-CEO, Paebbl, surmised, “We are thrilled to welcome first movers in their respective fields, Amazon and Holcim, as first commercial partners to bring our vision to market. This funding round enables us to take even bolder steps in our mission to make the built environment a cornerstone of the decarbonised economy.”

Nollaig Forrest, chief sustainability officer, Holcim, added, “By investing with Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund into 14Trees and Paebbl, we can scale up these pioneering technologies to push the boundaries of sustainable building, from 3D printing to making concrete a carbon sink.”

The new Volvo L110H and L120H wheel loaders are designed to improve output. (Image source: Volvo CE)

Replacing the F- and Gz-series, the new generation L110H and L120H wheel loaders from Volvo Construction Equipment offer higher performance, lower costs, and a better operator experience

1: Up to 28% greater fuel efficiency

Featuring a new Volvo engine and electronic platform, an improved transmission with OptiShift technology, and optional automatic engine shutdown, the L110H and L120H reduce fuel consumption and component wear, helping customers to maximise their resources.

2: Up to 12% productivity boost

With a higher 5-6 t lifting capacity and optimised hydraulics, the new Volvo L110H and L120H wheel loaders are designed to improve output. The enhanced torque and high breakout force allow users to handle more material faster, cutting down cycle times and boosting overall productivity.

3: Up to 6% higher tipping loads

The L110H and L120H have increased tipping loads by up to 6%, perfect for heavier-duty tasks such as tipping into taller trucks. With an improved rimpull control system, customers will also enjoy smoother loading and better hill climbing performance.

4: Enhanced operator experience

The upgraded cabs on the L110H and L120H are not just ergonomic, they are smarter too. The standard electric servo controls offer greater customisation, and options like Comfort Drive Control make truck loading smoother. Plus, the Volvo Co-Pilot Load Assist Operator Coaching function helps operators reach peak performance with real-time feedback and guidance, improving operational efficiency. Other options include a Collision Mitigation System and new LED lighting packages.

5: Simplified maintenance and extended service life

Spend less time on upkeep and more time working. The new L110H and L120H offer grouped service points, an easy-to-access engine hood, and a hydraulic tilting cab for quick component access. In addition, with features like the Tire Pressure Monitoring System new lockout-tagout (LOTO) system, battery and fuel system protection, and extended service intervals, Volvo has designed these models for convenience and long-term reliability.

Visit the Volvo CE Africa website to learn more about the new L110H and L120H wheel loaders or contact your local Volvo dealer.

This article is authored by Volvo CE.