SBIR Phase II: Additive Manufacturing in Construction

这个小型企业创新研究第二阶段项目是为了支持分支科技的新型添加剂制造(AM)工艺，该工艺将3D打印技术和传统建筑材料相结合，以实现一种建造建筑物的新方法。美国的建筑市场约占GDP的8%。任何可以增强的市场部分都将对美国经济产生巨大影响。为此，分支机构正在创造一个类似于自然界中的建筑过程。在自然系统的形成中，材料是最昂贵的商品；结构是通过有效利用材料而产生的，但形状几乎可以以任何形式自由地创造出来。分支机构可以通过添加制造来达到这种效率，即只在需要时才创建表单和存放材料，并且几乎不会产生浪费。BRANCH基于AM的施工方法的核心是三个关键开发：用作其他材料支架的三维自由结构(细胞矩阵或晶格)、产生细胞矩阵的机器人控制挤出机构，以及控制机器人成功生产所需的算法。这一过程和更多过程的概念证明已经由分部在第一阶段进行了论证。第二阶段的技术目标集中在改进已经建立的程序和技术上。这一阶段的重点领域是算法开发、硬件改进、精加工材料的应用、代码一致性测试和材料科学实验。算法开发包括改进和创建必要的软件，以挤出打印的矩阵并支持客户群。硬件改进是必要的，以提高过程的速度和效率，以创建商业上可行的工作流程。这项研究将需要购买额外的硬件进行实验。美国测试与材料协会(ASTM)的承载能力测试是进入市场并提供符合规范的施工所必需的。将成品材料应用于3D打印网格的实验，如喷射泡沫和混凝土，对于实现完整的建筑至关重要。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project is in support of Branch Technology's novel Additive Manufacturing (AM) process that combines 3D printing technology and conventional construction materials to enable a new way to create buildings. The construction market in the US is approximately 8% of GDP. Any portion of the market that could be enhanced would have a large impact in the US economy. To that end, Branch is creating a process similar to building found in the natural world. In the formation of natural systems, material is the most expensive commodity; a structure is derived by the efficient use of material, but shape is free to be created in almost any form. Branch can approach this efficiency with additive manufacturing, where form is created and material is deposited only when needed and little waste is created. At the core of Branch's method of AM-based construction are three key developments: a three-dimensional freeform structure (the cellular matrix or lattice) which serves as a scaffold for other materials, a robotically- controlled extrusion mechanism by which the cellular matrix is produced, and the algorithms necessary to control the robot for successful production. The proof of concept for this process and more have already been demonstrated by Branch in Phase I of this grant.The technical objectives for Phase II focus on improving the procedures and technology already created. The focus areas for this phase are algorithm development, hardware improvements, the application of finishing materials, code compliance testing, and material science experiments. Algorithm development consists of refining and creating the software necessary to extrude the printed matrix and support a client base. Hardware improvements are necessary to improve the speed and efficiency of the process to create a commercially viable workflow. This research will necessitate the purchase of extra hardware for experimentation. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) testing for load bearing capacity is necessary to enter the market and provide code compliant construction. Experimentation in the application of finished materials to the 3D printed lattice such as spray foam and concrete are vital to the realization of complete buildings.