More US Companies Now Offering 3D Printed Homes
2021-04-29
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1A growing number of U.S. companies are now offering homes built with three-dimensional, or 3D printing technology.
2The companies say 3D printers can build homes faster, for a lot less money, and in a much more environment friendly way than traditional building methods.
3They say the technology may also help solve America's shortage of affordable housing.
43D printers make physical objects based on 3D models created by a computer.
5The machines put down many thin layers of material -- such as plastic, metal or concrete -- on top of each other.
6Objects are created through this process, from the bottom up.
7In recent years, 3D printers have mostly been used to create small, specialized items.
8This includes parts for automobiles, airplanes and medical devices.
9Many consumer products can also be 3D printed as well, from clothes to foods.
10Now, an increasing number of startup companies are using 3D printing to build entire homes.
11Since the technology is still developing, not many have yet been built.
12However, the top companies plan to greatly increase production in coming years.
13The startup company Icon, based in Austin, Texas, made news in 2018 by completing the first permitted 3D printed home in the U.S.
14At the time, it said the home had been built in just a day.
15Since then, the company says it has been developing new technologies in robotics, software and manufacturing materials.
16It designed its own 3D printer and says the robot-powered machine can create structures up to 185 square meters.
17The printing process uses a cement-based mixture that Icon says is stronger and less costly than traditional building materials.
18To date, Icon has completed 24 3D printed homes in the U.S. and Mexico.
19Among them was a community of 3D printed homes in a poor neighborhood in Mexico.
20The company has also completed a series of structures for homeless people in Austin.
21And it says it plans to open America's first housing development of 3D printed homes this summer.
22Icon co-founder Jason Ballard told The Associated Press his company's 3D printing system can reduce construction costs by up to 30 percent and produce a home twice as fast as traditional methods.
23The process can do the work of 10 to 20 workers in several different fields.
24The machines, unlike humans, can work 24 hours a day.
25Sam Ruben is the co-founder of another home building company, Mighty Buildings.
26"With 3D printing, we're able to print exactly what we need," he told the AP.
27The company uses a 3D printer in Oakland, California to produce all parts, which are shipped to the site of the home.
28The house can then be put together with simple tools, Ruben said.
29Mighty Buildings advertises several home models on its website.
30A complete, mid-size home up to 65 square meters costs $187,250.
31The company also produces 32 square meter "mighty studios" that start at $115,000.
32The smaller structures are designed to be used as extra bedrooms, home offices, etc.
33Ruben said the prices are about 40 percent lower than traditional homes.
34He added that the 3D printing process removes nearly all building waste, which can save up to three tons of carbon per home.
35The company has a goal of producing 1,000 structures next year.
36It has teamed up with a developer to complete a solar-powered community of 3D printed homes in the California desert.
37Orders have already been sold out, with 500 people on a waiting list.
38A New York company, SQ4D, also uses 3D printing technology to build homes.
39In February, the company showed off a 130 square meter model home to demonstrate its printer's abilities.
40SQ4D plans to sell its homes starting at $299,000.
41The company has even started listing the homes on the internet selling site Zillow.
42Kirk Andersen is SQ4D's director of operations.
43He told Reuters the 3D printer will permit buyers to easily create their own home design, room by room.
44While 3D printing as a home building method is just getting started, Andersen said others in the construction industry need to get prepared for big changes.
45"This is the beginning. This is just scratching the surface," he said.
46I'm Bryan Lynn.
1A growing number of U.S. companies are now offering homes built with three-dimensional, or 3D printing technology. 2The companies say 3D printers can build homes faster, for a lot less money, and in a much more environment friendly way than traditional building methods. They say the technology may also help solve America's shortage of affordable housing. 33D printers make physical objects based on 3D models created by a computer. The machines put down many thin layers of material -- such as plastic, metal or concrete -- on top of each other. Objects are created through this process, from the bottom up. 4In recent years, 3D printers have mostly been used to create small, specialized items. This includes parts for automobiles, airplanes and medical devices. Many consumer products can also be 3D printed as well, from clothes to foods. 5Now, an increasing number of startup companies are using 3D printing to build entire homes. Since the technology is still developing, not many have yet been built. However, the top companies plan to greatly increase production in coming years. 6The startup company Icon, based in Austin, Texas, made news in 2018 by completing the first permitted 3D printed home in the U.S. At the time, it said the home had been built in just a day. 7Since then, the company says it has been developing new technologies in robotics, software and manufacturing materials. It designed its own 3D printer and says the robot-powered machine can create structures up to 185 square meters. The printing process uses a cement-based mixture that Icon says is stronger and less costly than traditional building materials. 8To date, Icon has completed 24 3D printed homes in the U.S. and Mexico. Among them was a community of 3D printed homes in a poor neighborhood in Mexico. The company has also completed a series of structures for homeless people in Austin. And it says it plans to open America's first housing development of 3D printed homes this summer. 9Icon co-founder Jason Ballard told The Associated Press his company's 3D printing system can reduce construction costs by up to 30 percent and produce a home twice as fast as traditional methods. The process can do the work of 10 to 20 workers in several different fields. The machines, unlike humans, can work 24 hours a day. 10Sam Ruben is the co-founder of another home building company, Mighty Buildings. "With 3D printing, we're able to print exactly what we need," he told the AP. The company uses a 3D printer in Oakland, California to produce all parts, which are shipped to the site of the home. The house can then be put together with simple tools, Ruben said. 11Mighty Buildings advertises several home models on its website. A complete, mid-size home up to 65 square meters costs $187,250. The company also produces 32 square meter "mighty studios" that start at $115,000. The smaller structures are designed to be used as extra bedrooms, home offices, etc. Ruben said the prices are about 40 percent lower than traditional homes. 12He added that the 3D printing process removes nearly all building waste, which can save up to three tons of carbon per home. The company has a goal of producing 1,000 structures next year. It has teamed up with a developer to complete a solar-powered community of 3D printed homes in the California desert. Orders have already been sold out, with 500 people on a waiting list. 13A New York company, SQ4D, also uses 3D printing technology to build homes. In February, the company showed off a 130 square meter model home to demonstrate its printer's abilities. SQ4D plans to sell its homes starting at $299,000. The company has even started listing the homes on the internet selling site Zillow. 14Kirk Andersen is SQ4D's director of operations. He told Reuters the 3D printer will permit buyers to easily create their own home design, room by room. 15While 3D printing as a home building method is just getting started, Andersen said others in the construction industry need to get prepared for big changes. "This is the beginning. This is just scratching the surface," he said. 16I'm Bryan Lynn. 17Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from The Associated Press, Reuters, and Icon. Hai Do was the editor. 18We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. 19_____________________________________________________________ 20Words in This Story 21three-dimensional (3D) - adj. having or appearing to have length, depth and height 22affordable - adj. reasonably priced and able to be bought by most people 23layer - n. an amount of a substance that covers a surface 24concrete - n. a hard substance using in building operations 25consumer - n. someone who buys or uses goods or services 26construction - n. the work of building homes, offices, bridges, etc. 27scratch - v. to act on something