Presentation of the 3DFORMWORKS project

3DFORMWORKS is targeting the 3D printing of permanent formwork in ‘low carbon’ cementitious inks for the production of complex-shaped parts in the construction and refractory sectors as an alternative to the conventional moulding technique.

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Concrete innovation through 3D printing

The new industrial revolution, which combines robotisation, digitalisation of processes, artificial intelligence, augmented reality and Big Data, is profoundly changing the image of factory and site work in many sectors. The construction industry is no exception, with the emergence of 3D concrete printing.

This additive manufacturing technology applied to these materials offers new perspectives in terms of the design of parts or buildings, while helping to lower production costs, particularly through the speed of the manufacturing process. From an ecological point of view, it reduces waste on site by doing away with moulds and casts. The adoption of this technology in this field would increase the competitiveness of companies in the sector.

Background to the project

In the Interreg France-Wallonie-Vlaanderen (FWVL) cross-border area, the industrial fabric of the construction sector in the broadest sense of the term, i.e. both in the building and public works (BTP) sector and in specialised construction such as works in refractory materials, consists mainly of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

To remain competitive, these companies focus on a strategy of lowering production costs rather than on a strategy of innovation and diversification of their production. This is due to a fear of taking risks by investing in innovation, but also to a lack of human and financial resources.

Challenges

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Why this project?

In the field of 3D concrete printing, innovation projects encompassing the development of cementitious ink formulations, characterisation methods and the production of 3D demonstrators to replace conventionally produced elements would help these SMEs to minimise the risks of their investment in this type of innovation.

This is the background to the 3DFORMWORKS project. It targets the production of complex-shaped parts in the construction and refractory sectors using 3D printing technology to design the external shape of the part by creating a “permanent formwork” in cement ink. This will then be filled with traditional concrete (construction or refractory).

Challenges

A project co-financed by Interreg FWVL

The 3DFORMWORKS project in pictures

Dive into the heart of the project through a selection of images illustrating its key milestones and ambitions. A visual immersion to better understand its challenges and impact.

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CRIStAL (Centre for Research in Computer Science, Signals and Automation of Lille) is a joint research unit (UMR 9189) under the supervision of the CNRS, the University of Lille, Centrale Lille, in collaboration with Inria of the University of Lille. CRIStAL covers many themes of digital sciences from the most fundamental to the most applied.

TEAM2 is a french competitiveness cluster dedicated entirely to innovation to deploy circular economy principles to accelerate the ecological transition and limit our environmental impacts.

The LaMé gathers professors and researchers in mechanics from the universities of Orléans and Tours and from INSA Centre Val de Loire. The main themes of the LaMé focus on the mechanical characterization of materials and structures for their modelling.

The Centre in Materials and Processes at the IMT Nord Europe Engineering School is conducting research, among other things, on the development of low-carbon binders and the use of recycled concrete sand for 3D concrete printing.

Buildwise is the independent reference center for knowledge and innovation in the Belgian construction sector.

INISMa is a leading research centre in Wallonia and Europe, specialised in ceramic materials, particularly refractory materials. It has recognised expertise in additive manufacturing applied to advanced ceramics and printable refractory castables.

TEAM2 is a french competitiveness cluster dedicated entirely to innovation to deploy circular economy principles to accelerate the ecological transition and limit our environmental impacts.

Buildwise is the independent reference center for knowledge and innovation in the Belgian construction sector.

TEAM2 is a french competitiveness cluster dedicated entirely to innovation to deploy circular economy principles to accelerate the ecological transition and limit our environmental impacts.

Buildwise is the independent reference center for knowledge and innovation in the Belgian construction sector.

TEAM2 is a french competitiveness cluster dedicated entirely to innovation to deploy circular economy principles to accelerate the ecological transition and limit our environmental impacts.

Buildwise is the independent reference center for knowledge and innovation in the Belgian construction sector.

TEAM2 is a french competitiveness cluster dedicated entirely to innovation to deploy circular economy principles to accelerate the ecological transition and limit our environmental impacts.

Buildwise is the independent reference center for knowledge and innovation in the Belgian construction sector.

Presentation of the 3DFORMWORKS project

3DFORMWORKS is targeting the 3D printing of permanent formwork in ‘low carbon’ cementitious inks for the production of complex-shaped parts in the construction and refractory sectors as an alternative to the conventional moulding technique.

Concrete innovation through 3D printing

Background to the project

To remain competitive, these companies focus on a strategy of lowering production costs rather than on a strategy of innovation and diversification of their production. This is due to a fear of taking risks by investing in innovation, but also to a lack of human and financial resources.

Why this project?

A project co-financed by Interreg FWVL

The 3DFORMWORKS project in pictures

Discover the project partners

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