3D-printer for large scale objects and architecture
D-Shape developed the first 3D-printer for large scale objects in 2008. They recently presented small scale version of the Radiolaria Pavillon. It was designed by the founder of Shiro Studio, Andrea Morgante and will be build in Pontedera (there’s the headquarter of Piaggio, manufacturer of the Vespa), Italy in 2010 in its actual size.
The idea of concrete printing has been around for a while. But the Radiolaria Pavillon is a much more attractive example than the objects shown by contourcrafting.org so fare – especially to the media. ( via dezeen, baunetz, fast company) The project by Dr. Behrokh Khoshnevis got some funding in 2008, but it seems to be making little headway compared to the Radiolaria Pavillon by D-Shape . That reminds me a bit on Desktop Factory vs. Makerbot. But the technologies used seem to be different and as the large amount of current small scale 3D printing systems show, the market for 3D printing system should be large enough anyway.
I’m wondering how much hand finishing the surface of the actual 3D-printed shape requires, until it’s as nice as shown on the renderings? And I guess the small 3D-printed model with the nice surface, shown on some pictures, is done with a Z-corp. But there’s still some time until 2010 
( via dezeen, baunetz, fast company)
