Amsterdam has just opened the first ever 3d-printed steel public overpass and it is a work of wonder. The 12-metre-long MX3D overpass was manufactured by robotic arms using welding torches that placed the structure of the overpass one layer at a time. This first ever marvel is made of stainless steel and weighs 4500 kilogram.
The worlds first 3d-printed bridge has been opened to the public
The project took 6 months to complete and was built by four commercially available industrial robots. It was engineered for use by cyclists and pedestrians making their way over the Oudezijds Achterburgwal canal in central Amsterdam.
Not only is this a first of its kind, but the steel structure is also fitted with sensors that will monitor strain, vibrations, movement and temperature to indicate when modification or maintenance is necessary. Data that is collected will be processed into a digital model of the overpass that will be used for study to predict future needs.
It is believed that the new technology that is now in use in Amsterdam will provide early warnings of any overpass failures as it is believed that many of the earlier failures were often structure deterioration that was missed. In an ever changing world, technological advances seem to be a daily occurrence and many are excited to see what wonders will be next.
