Beijing, April 3 (Youth.cn) - On March 31, 2025, at the experimental site of China Three Gorges University in Yichang, Hubei Province, the initial form of a two-story building constructed by a university-developed 12-meter gantry-type construction 3D printer was completed, with workers conducting final roof-sealing operations. Standing 8 meters tall and covering 100 square meters, the building began printing in early March and took less than one month to complete - 70% faster than traditional construction timelines - while meeting expected efficiency and structural integrity standards.

The 3D printer, developed over three years by the university, has overcome critical challenges in large-scale architectural 3D printing, including precision control, structural continuity, printing consistency, and stability. During the trial, the research team achieved printing precision within 2 millimeters and positioning accuracy within 0.1 millimeters through parameter optimization and on-site technical adjustments, resulting in a flawless final structure.

This successful trial marks a milestone for the university’s 12-meter gantry-type 3D printer, signaling its transition from laboratory research to production-line application and readiness for industrial-scale adoption. Photo/CFP