A 3D-printed steel bridge set to be installed over a canal in the city of Amsterdam has been unveiled by robotics start-up MX3D. The bridge, which is expected to open next year, will allow people and vehicles to cross the Zuiderzee waterway without having to use boats. It was built from layers of molten steel by six-axis robots, which used robotic arms to control large welding machines. MX3D initially proposed to build the bridge on-site, although this idea was abandoned for being "too dangerous" and over budget.
A 3D-printed steel bridge set to be installed over a canal in the city of Amsterdam has been unveiled by robotics start-up MX3D. The firm worked with designer Joris Laarman to construct the 12 m-long and 6 m-wide steel pedestrian bridge, which was previewed at Dutch Design Week. It was built from layers of molten steel by six-axis robots, which used robotic arms to control large welding machines. MX3D initially proposed to build the bridge on-site, although this idea was abandoned for being "too dangerous" and over budget.