FAQ

We have gathered frequently asked questions from our clients and partners in the following FAQ. Please get in touch with us, if there is anything further we can help you with!

Get in touch

FAQ

We have gathered frequently asked questions from our clients and partners in the following FAQ. Please get in touch with us, if there is anything further we can help you with!

What solutions does Hyperion Robotics offer? 

By combining 3D printing technology with low-carbon concrete, Hyperion Robotics offers a fully integrated, highly adaptable concrete construction automation solution to save time, costs and carbon emissions.

What are Hyperion 3D printing Micro-Factories?

Hyperion 3D printing Micro-Factories are the combination of industrial robots with our proprietary hardware and software. We offer an end-to-end solution (hardware + software + materials) to automatically produce optimized reinforced concrete structures for construction projects. From traditional cement-based concrete to low-carbon materials made from waste stream products , we can offer our clients a more efficient and environmentally-friendly building process either off-site or right on your construction site.

How long does it take to build a pad foundation?

It only takes 30 minutes to manufacture a fully reinforced and optimized foundation with our 3D printing technology.  

What are the advantages of using Hyperion’s 3D printing technology for construction compared with the traditional methods?

3D printed construction can save time and money while ensuring health and safety for construction workers and improving the sustainability of the construction business. In the 3D Micro-Factories, design and engineering phases are expedited because they run in parallel. Moreover, earlier strength gain can be achieved: specifically, 50% of the total strength has been reached after one day. This leads up to 50% reduction in the execution time. The costs can also be reduced up to 30% as faster production and installation take place on site with less labor required, no formwork needed and less material used. By minimizing labor in the construction site, we reduce health and safety risks. As our mortar is made out of waste stream products, it is placed only where it is needed, and no formwork is used, we improve sustainability up to 90%. 

Can Hyperion's structures withstand harsh weather conditions?

Our concrete has a low permeability and low water/cement ratio. Combined with the use of supplementary cementitious material, our printing mix has a high resistance to chloride attack, sulfate attack and carbonation. Also, the test performed to Finnish standard SFS 7022 shows that Hyperion’s material outperformed standard concrete thanks to its low water/cement ratio and dense matrix

What is the largest object that you have printed?

We have 3D printed a 2 meter by 2 meter water tank of a total concrete weight of 2.1 tons in 1 hour 20 minutes.

What kinds of projects would be suitable for Hyperion 3D printing?

Our main areas of application are industrial and utility infrastructure projects, specifically energy and utilities, mining infrastructure and underwater structures. 

Do you reinforce your structures?

Yes, we do, because only a very small percent of all concrete structures in the world is unreinforced. We offer several reinforcement options: traditional steel rebar for both vertical and horizontal reinforcement and stainless steel continuous horizontal wire reinforcement combined with vertical rebar reinforcement.

Does Hyperion’s technology comply with codes and regulations?

As structural design for 3D printing is not (yet) codified, we employ a method called “design by testing” to justify our structures.

Hyperion owns a set of testing equipment that allows us to apply controlled force to a printed element. The result of the tests is then compared to the theoretical values obtained by calculation. We also have a close partnership with local testing laboratories where we can commission more specific material tests.

Hyperion Robotics is currently a member of the Global Committee (JG80) led by construction expert Stephan Mansour where we are looking to establish the ISO and ASTM standards and codes for 3D printing in the construction industry.

What type of materials can be used for 3D printing construction?

Depending on our clients’ needs, we can provide a range of mortar recipes, from traditional cement-based mix, to mixes with low cement content or even zero cement (alkali activated, just-add-water mortar). As a practice, we identify locally available materials and integrate them into our mixes. The materials compressive strength ranges from 40 to 80 MPa, including the ones with ingredients upcycled from industrial waste streams. 

What kind of structures has Hyperion manufactured?

We have designed, engineered and produced reinforced concrete structures such as water tanks, foundations, trenches and nodes and artificial reefs for clients around the world. Contact us for our product catalog. Our main areas of application are industrial and utility infrastructure projects, specifically energy and utilities, mining infrastructure and underwater structures.