Main Functions And Current State Of CC Technology

The contour crafting is an innovative technology, this method is mainly based on the 3D printing that uses the robotics. Then this method is simple method and this method can be done in quickly and safely. On the economic basis this method is very suitable because this method can be applied in low cost. The important material required for the construction procedure is mortar. In this case, concrete mold is prepared by using the mortar mixture by the help of the robotic technique. In the contour crafting technology, using the mortar mix which is added as the layer by layer for the building construction.

The contour crafting is a innovative technology, that developed by the prof. Behrokh Khoshnevis, from the university of southern California. This method is mainly based on the 3D printing that uses the robotics. Then this method is a simple method can be done in quickly and safely. On the economic basis this method is very suitable because this method can be done in low cost. The important material required for the construction procedure is mortar. In this case, concrete mould is prepared by using the mortar mixture by the help of the robotic techniques. In the contour crafting technology, using mortar mix which is added as layer by layer for the building construction. The important parts of the contour crafting machine is the Nozzle, Extrusion system and Trowels. The machine has able to move in all 3 X, Y, Z directions. The first X-axis is made up of rails, the second axis is made up by the height of the machine arms and finally the third axis is created by the horizontal bar which joins the two arms. The first important part of the machine, nozzle in which the rims are created firstly and the nozzle moves as per the pre determined deposition path of the material. The nozzle has the three types of different heads, then which can made different shape as per the pattern. The nozzle can made some passages for the needed installation. The second important part of the contour crafting machine Extrusion system in which, from the material reservoir, the extrusion system can convert the mortar mixture and deposits it in controllable amount to the required shape. The machine frame is with two rails of V-shaped profiles. Then, which guides the extrusion system. The third important part of the contour crafting machine is the Trowels, in which it forms the smooth object surface by using trowels. They are mainly of two types, side trowel and top trowel The main properties of the contour crafting is the high workability, good rate of extrudability, provides high strength and decrease the permeability. The important advantages of contour crafting is the emergency housing, less wastage of the materials, we can avoid the labor problem, this type of construction is eco-friendly and which economic also which can be used for the space colonies. Hence, it provides a huge step towards the future.

Main functions carried on CC

a) Extrusion process

The term extrusion process means that in which using the vertical and horizontal direction in which by the use of trowels the object surface forms into smooth. The side trowels forms the high surface finish, this is because of the thicker material deposition. The thicker material deposition will reduces the manufacturing time and also which is essential for the building large scale parts.

Extrusion nozzle in which the rims are created first, the nozzle acts as per the predefined material deposition of each layer.

b) Filling process

The each layer top surface smoothness is important for the strength of the building and also the strong bond of the each layer. Boundaries of each layer are created firstly, then the filling process of the material is started and the material is injected to fill the internal volume.

Current state of CC

a) CC machine design

The extrusion system in which, the material deposits in the controllable amount in the desired shape from the material reservoir. There is a lead screw is present, into which a piston is attached and the lead screw which turns at high speed. Then this rotation will helps to extrude the mixture. When the construction nozzle into which the mortar mix exists, then the machine moves in the X direction at a specified speed. Then the cycle is repeated up to its final shape.

b) Mortar mixture development and compressive strength test

The important materials that are used for the CC are the optimum mixture ratio of cement, sand and water.

c) Fabrication

Here a batch of mortar mixture is loaded in to the material carrying tank, then after making the layers by using these one batch of mortar, then the CC system pauses and the working is continues after the loading of the another batch of mortar mixture. Velocity of extrusion system is 20mm/s. To complete the intended geometry, almost nine batches are required.

Conclusion

The important factor of the CC technology is that it can be build in one day. In which we can construct at least 10houses colonies in a single day. This is the main feature of the CC. Then it can be mainly applied during in the time of war, natural disaster time etc. Then the emergency situation at which it gives the high support. This is a 3D printing robotic technique, completely computerized and it can be done in quickly and safely. It is an innovative technology, then it should require the labor with high skilled and high knowledge. Then, this process required less number of labors, then it is an advantage for the construction but at the same time it should create a ethical issue. Then, in which before the starting of the construction we get the correct amount of the material required for the structure. Then, there is no wastage of the material and it should leads reduce the environmental effects. In which it has new type of innovative machines are used and it can create complex structure for the high building and also it gives architectural flexibility. In the case of earth almost 70% are completely filled with water and the remaining 30% land are taken by the human for their needs. Then, now studies are progressed to live at the outside the earth. Then, the NASA approved to study the scope of the CC in outside the earth for the space colonies. Finally, CC is an innovative method for the future building construction.