Eight cladding nodes, or shrouds, for the top of steel columns that support ETFE roof on the building鈥檚 roof terrace were made by a specialist injection molding company using a 3D printer. They were delivered to site this week, the Chartered Institute of Building reports today.
The CIOB magazine quotes Skanska project manager Jonathan Inman saying: 鈥淲e鈥檙e very excited by it 鈥� it鈥檚 the first time the company has used the technique. But we鈥檙e currently talking to other clients about other opportunities for 3D printing.鈥�
His colleague, innovation manager Sam Stacey, said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 something we are very interested in, we will look for opportunities and respond vigorously as they emerge.鈥�
Welded or spliced steel plates, the traditional approach, did not meet the architect鈥檚 aesthetic standards.
A slective laser sintering machine was used to fuse layers of powdered Nylon PA 12 to build up the complex shapes based on a CAD file form the architect, the CIOB reports.
Construction of the 16-storey commercial building is nearing completion. Handover is scheduled before the end of the year.
The project design consultants are Fletcher Priest Architects, Waterman Structures and Waterman Building Services.
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