What is 3D printing?

3D printing is a manufacturing process that creates a three-dimensional object from a digital model. Several styles of 3D printers exist, but the most common type works by laying down thin layers of material on top of each other that fuse together to form a continuous part.

What materials do you print with?

Your designs would currently be produced with one of our high strength mortar or concrete mixes. However, we are constantly testing new materials and mix designs and will likely offer additional options in the future.

What does the design process look like?

Every piece starts with a 3D model. For those with limited CAD experience, we have a catalog of models that can be modified to create custom products or can work with you to create a model from your hand-drawn sketch.

If you have 3D design experience, we will collaborate with you to bring your design to life. When you reach out, we will supply some advice on designing for printability and file considerations. Once you’ve created a model, we’ll review it together and make any refinements necessary to prepare it for printing. After the design is approved, we will “slice” and print your custom creation. The end result is often amazement and joy!

How quickly can you print a part for me?

Once the design is complete/approved, depending on the size, we can print a part in an hour or two, not including curing time.

Can my parts be colored?

Yes, parts can be pigmented, stained, or painted.

Isn’t concrete heavy? Will I be able to lift my parts?

Our proprietary mix designs are lighter and stronger than typical concrete allowing us to make small parts surprisingly light if desired. Large or awkwardly shaped designs will require consideration for lifting and transporting. Reach out to us to discuss this in detail for your project.

Can you print a house with a 3D printer?

It’s possible but not yet perfected. Structures can and have been printed with 3D printers with varying degrees of success. However, the processes, methodologies, and technologies are still in the early stages of development, and there is still much to learn and refine. We encourage everyone who is working in this sphere because we believe it will take many people, using many different paths, to gain the knowledge needed to build homes in the various climates and topographies around the world using 3D printing.