2015-06-16 15:14:59 -0700A robot is planning to 3D print a steel bridge in Amsterdam
Concept art for 3D printed bridge in AmsterdamImage: MX3DBy Chris Perkins2015-06-16 15:14:59 -0700

While 3D printing has endless possibilities, we have yet to see many applications in everyday use. That might change, however, with the creation of a 3D-printed steel bridge in Amsterdam.

The city is working with Dutch robot company MX3D and engineering software company Autodesk to create a 3D-printed bridge over a canal there, though an exact location has not yet been released.

See also: I Drove a 3D Printed Car

MX3D, which is known for 3D printing complex metal shapes in midair without any support structures, is taking on the bridge as its next project.

The bridge is slated for completion in 2017, but will reportedly only take two months to print. According to Fast Company, the bridge will be about 24 feet in length.

MX3D claims its 3D printing technology is more affordable and scalable than others, thanks to robots that can move in six directions (six-axis robots) and print with a variety of strong materials.

Most 3D printers, like the popular MakerBot Replicator, are small boxes that allow objects to be printed inside. By taking the printer out of the box, much more complex, larger structures can be built. In a YouTube video, MX3D describes the process as "drawing in midair"; the ability to do this with high-strength steels and other composites is particularly unique.

Watch how the team approaches it, below:

MX3D added that building a bridge would be the "ideal way to showcase the endless possibilities of this technique." Another bonus? It could potentially make building bridges safer, faster and cheaper.

If the project is successful, the U.S. government and local municipalities could take notice. Bridges in the U.S. are, by most measures, in pretty bad shape. A 2013 report graded U.S. bridge as a C+, stating that one in nine bridges are "structurally deficient." Fixing all those bridges would, the Federal Highway Administration predicted, cost tens of billions of dollars.

Perhaps one day, 3D printing could bridge that cost and effort gap.

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机器人在阿姆斯特丹计划3D打印出一座钢制桥梁

0700A机器人计划3D打印在AmsterdamConcept艺术钢桥在AmsterdamImage 3D打印的桥梁：MX3DBy克里斯Perkins2015-06-16十五时14分59秒-0700
虽然3D打印有无限的可能性，我们还没有看到在日常使用的许多应用。这可能会改变，但是，与建立在阿姆斯特丹一个3D打印钢桥。

这个城市正在与荷兰的机器人公司MX3D和工程软件公司欧特克打造了运河有一个3D打印的桥梁，但确切的地点尚未公布。

另见：我开车了3D打印汽车

MX3D，这是众所周知的3D打印在半空中复杂的金属形状没有任何支撑结构，走在桥上作为其下一个项目。

这座桥被提名为完成在2017年，但据说只需要两个月的时间进行打印。根据快速公司，该大桥将是约24英尺长。

MX3D声称其3D打印技术更实惠和可扩展性比其他人，这要归功于机器人，可以在六个方向（六轴机器人）移动，并具有多种强大的材料上打印。

大多数3D打印机，喜欢流行的MakerBot Replicator的，是小盒子，使物体在里面打印出来。通过采取打印机开箱，要复杂得多，更大的结构可建。在YouTube视频，MX3D描述过程的“绘制在半空中”;用高强度钢等复合能力做到这一点显得尤为独特。

看团队如何接近它，如下：

MX3D补充说，建一座桥将是“向人们展示这一技术的无限可能理想的方式。”另一个好处？这可能使修桥更安全，更快，更便宜。

如果项目成功，美国政府和地方市政当局可能会采取通知。在美国的桥梁，大多数措施，精神状况非常糟。 2013年报告，美国分级桥为C +，称九分之一桥是“结构缺陷”。修复所有这些桥梁会，美国联邦公路管理局预测，耗资数百亿美元。

也许有一天，3D打印可以弥补这一成本和精力的差距。

有东西添加到这个故事吗？分享它的评论。