It has been a few years since 3D printing took its first steps in construction, with attractive but often short-lived demonstrators. The technology does not break through on an industrial scale. Its applications are no doubt long overdue because of the standardization of construction methods and the complexity of the certification process.
Undoubtedly also because too often 3D seeks to replace, station by station, proven solutions both technically and economically.
Practical works, for their part, benefit from more latitude in terms of inventiveness or management of constraints. Works are justified on a case-by-case basis using calculations, which opens the door to experimentation. But here again, there is no significant progress in a technology confined to a few ad hoc exploits (often aesthetic).
A meeting with three made it possible to change the angle of approach.
Artwork 3D , actor already experienced in the world of 3D in the segment of urban decoration and high-end furniture.
The building chemistry specialist, world leader in the development and production of systems and products in its markets: SIKA .
A duo of PMI, Chapsol andSotubema , historical manufacturers of the public works market.
Convinced that 3D printing is full of promise (already materialized in other worlds such as medicine or industrial equipment), they pool their skills and their history to move into the industrial phase.
The alchemy and complementarity immediately worked.
Artwork shows the way with several years of experience in the distribution of pieces produced with 3D technologies but above all with a specific commercial approach.
Finally, Chapsol and Sotubema combine the strength of traditional players in the construction market, recognized and already involved in solving complex problems, with the flexibility of SMEs capable of reinventing themselves industrially.
It is on the Sotubema site in Coubert (77) that they install the first 3D production line in addition to a conventional industrial prefabrication tool.
This is indeed the central point of the approach: stop talking about 3D printing and consider the printer as an additional industrial resource that can technically enrich an offer of products and solutions. The use of 3D printing will be transparent for the customer, but will make it possible to solve problems that are poorly treated today, in the factory or on site.
This is how Sotubema will be able to enrich its range of products for urban and road developments with new technical and aesthetic proposals.
That Chapsol will increase its potential in made-to-measure prefabricated solutions and add another string to its BE’s bow.
That Artwork 3D will be able to accelerate its development by relying on a printing unit redefining quality and finishing standards and that Sika will be able to offer its customers a printing service.
Production was launched in October 2022