SBIR Phase II: Additive Manufacturing in Construction

这个小企业创新研究第二阶段项目是为了支持Branch Technology的新型增材制造（AM）工艺，该工艺将3D打印技术和传统建筑材料相结合，以实现创建建筑物的新方法。美国的建筑市场约占GDP的8%。市场中任何可以得到改善的部分都将对美国经济产生重大影响。为此，Branch正在创建一个类似于在自然界中发现的建筑过程。在自然系统的形成过程中，材料是最昂贵的商品；结构是通过材料的有效利用而衍生出来的，但形状几乎可以以任何形式自由创造。Branch可以通过增材制造达到这种效率，在增材制造中，只在需要时创建形状和沉积材料，并且几乎不会产生浪费。Branch基于am的构建方法的核心是三个关键的发展：一个三维自由结构（细胞矩阵或晶格），作为其他材料的支架，一个机器人控制的挤压机制，通过它产生细胞矩阵，以及控制机器人成功生产所需的算法。这一过程的概念证明以及更多的概念已经在该赠款的第一阶段由科展示。第二阶段的技术目标集中于改进已经建立的程序和技术。这一阶段的重点领域是算法开发、硬件改进、整理材料的应用、代码符合性测试和材料科学实验。算法开发包括精炼和创建挤出打印矩阵和支持客户群所需的软件。硬件改进对于提高流程的速度和效率以创建商业上可行的工作流是必要的。这项研究将需要购买额外的硬件进行实验。美国材料试验协会（ASTM）的承载能力测试是进入市场和提供符合规范的建筑所必需的。将成品材料应用于3D打印晶格的实验，如喷雾泡沫和混凝土，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.