June 22, 2022
We have gathered most frequently asked questions from our clients and partners in the following FAQ. Get in touch with us for further questions!
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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
Our main areas of application are industrial and utility infrastructure projects, specifically energy and utilities, mining infrastructure and underwater 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.
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.
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.
No special education is required. We do provide on-site training, workshops and online technical support for 3D Micro-Factories operators around the world.
