3D Printing in Architecture

3D printing for the production of architectural models

Architectural models are small replicas of buildings or cities used by architects, engineers and designers to present their designs and visions. In the past, such models were made manually from wood, papier-mâché or plastic, which required time and effort. Nowadays, however, there is the possibility of producing architectural models with the help of 3D printers.

3D printers are machines that can additively produce three-dimensional objects from various materials using digital models. Additive manufacturing is particularly useful in architecture, as they allow complex shapes and details to be accurately reproduced. Architectural models made by 3D printing are thus not only faster and cheaper to produce, but often also more detailed and precise than traditional models.

To produce an architectural model using 3D printing, a digital model must first be created. This can be done with the help of special software such as AutoCAD or SketchUp. Once the digital model is complete, it is transferred to the 3D printer, which then builds the model from the desired material.

If the plans of a building change, architects can use 3D printing to quickly create a modified model without having to start the entire model from scratch. All that needs to be done is to adjust the 3D file and put the new model into print. This allows them to react quickly to changes and make the best decisions for the building and their client.

Another advantage of 3D printing in architecture is the ability to produce models in different sizes and shapes. While traditional architectural models are often only available in a limited number of sizes, 3D printers can print models in almost any size. The ability to print models in different colours and materials also opens up new creative possibilities for architects and designers.

The use of 3D printing has revolutionised the way architects work, allowing them to work faster and more precisely. Thanks to additive manufacturing, they can present their ideas better and make decisions faster, making their projects more effective and sustainable.

Your advantages at a glance

• Fast and precise production of architectural models
• Possibility to make changes to the model quickly and easily
• Great design freedom
  
• Different scale levels can be produced, even in one production step
• Several (non-contiguous buildings) can be produced in one construction job
  
• Expansion of material options through the use of plastics and metals that would not be possible to process manually

Which materials are suitable for architectural models?

There are various materials that can be used for 3D printing architectural models, including plastics, metals, ceramics and even glass. However, the most commonly used materials are plastics such as PA11 and PA12. These are lightweight, relatively inexpensive and strong, making them particularly suitable for printing prototypes and concept models.

There are also a number of metals that can be used for 3D printing architectural models, such as aluminium or stainless steel. However, additively manufactured models made of metal are significantly more expensive than those made of plastic, which is why they are only suitable for simple concept models to a limited extent, but rather for special exhibition pieces or art objects.

Which material is best suited for the architectural model depends on the requirements of the model, its purpose and the architect's preferences.

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> About our metals

What do you have to pay attention to in the additive manufacturing of architectural models?

There are some challenges to consider when using 3D printing for architectural models. One of them is that 3D printers are still quite expensive. This can be a hurdle for small architecture firms, as the purchase of a 3D printer is not yet profitable. This can be remedied by 3D printing service providers such as PROTIQ, which take over the entire manufacturing process. This allows the architects to concentrate on their actual know-how, while the manufacturing service provider takes care of the production of the model.

Another difficulty is that there are some design guidelines to follow in additive manufacturing. For example, scaling the architectural model can quickly result in wall thicknesses that are too thin or details that are too delicate to be reproduced by common 3D printing processes. In general, the basic recommendation is not to select wall thicknesses and details to be reproduced smaller than 1 mm. If walls, doors or windows in the model turn out to be thinner due to the selected scale, the digital 3D model must be adjusted. Either the elements that are too thin are modelled thicker or completely removed from the model. You can read more about the design guidelines and recommendations here.

3D printing in this field offers many advantages and has already greatly changed the way architects work. Do you also have a similar project in mind? Ask for a non-binding offer right here!

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