July 15 (UPI) — The world’s first 3D printed bridge was unveiled in Amsterdam’s Red Light District on Thursday.
The bridge — weighing just over 9,900 pounds — was created by torch-wielding robotic arms that welded the structure.
It was later transported to the Oudezijds Achterburgwal canal in central Amsterdam, where it was constructed and opened to bicycle and pedestrian traffic.
Queen Máxima of the Netherlands opened the bridge by operating a scissor-wielding robot to cut a ribbon.
The project began seven years ago by Dutch company MX3D is also under the research umbrella of Imperial College London.
“A 3D-printed metal structure large and strong enough to handle pedestrian traffic has never been constructed before,” Imperial co-contributor professor Leroy Gardner said according to IET. “We have tested and simulated the structure and its components throughout the printing process and upon its completion and it’s fantastic to see it finally open to the public.”
The structure was not only built to show off the new technology, it will also serve as a lab to Imperial College London researchers.
A computer model of the bridge will be combined with real-world information about traffic and regular analysis to monitor the bridge’s health.
The bridge performance will be studied to determine how 3D-printed steel reacts over time. The Alan Turing Institute will lead the research program.
“3D printing is poised to become a major technology in engineering and we need to develop appropriate approaches for testing and monitoring to realize its full potential,” Turing Institute Prof. Mark Girolami said, according to IET. “When we couple 3D printing with digital twin technology, we can then accelerate the infrastructure design process, ensuring that we design optimal and efficient structures with respect to environmental impact, architectural freedom and manufacturing costs.”
Earlier this year, the U.S. Navy announced it was developing 3D printing technology for structural metals involved in vessel construction.
“MX3D kicked off this project in 2015 when it proposed printing a metal bridge with its innovative large-scale, #robotic #3Dprinting technology, creating a playful, inspiring example of how digital tools can create a new form language for architectural objects,” MX3D said on Facebook.