A 12-metre 3D-printed pedestrian bridge designed by Joris Laarman and built by Dutch robotics company MX3D has opened in Amsterdam six years after the project was launched.
The bridge, which was fabricated from stainless steel by welding robots, spans the Oudezijds Achterburgwal in Amsterdam's Red Light District.
Top: MX3D Bridge is located in the Red Light District. Above: it was 3D-printed from stainless steel
Named MX3D Bridge, it was designed by Joris Laarman Lab in collaboration with MX3D and engineering firm Arup.
The structure used 4,500 kilograms of stainless steel, which was 3D-printed by four welding robots in a factory over a period of six months before been installed over the canal this year.
Its curving S-shaped form and balustrades with lattice-style perforations were designed using parametric modelling software. The bridge was constructed using robotic printers. Photo is by Adriaan de Groot
The team behind the bridge claimed the technique showed how 3D-printing technology can lead to more efficient structures that use less material.
"This robotic technology finally allows larger optimized designs to be 3D-printed in metal," said MX3D co-founder Gijs van der Velden.
"This causes significant weight reduction and reduced impact for parts manufactured in the tooling, oil and gas and construction industries."
It has perforated balustrades. Photo is by Jande Groen
The technique can lead to more sustainable structures, the team claimed. "The...