The world’s most advanced 3D printer for construction

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.