Wood Printing Aimed at Sustainability

Sustainable building will require new types of construction materials and building designs. If researchers in Sweden have their way, printable wood components could play a role in both creating sustainable structures and making better use of natural resources.

Vinnova, a Swedish government agency that promotes sustainable growth via research funding, has launched a 3D wood printing project called "Would Wood" that is being managed by Stockholm-based research firm Innventia.

The initiative will establish a consortium to develop integrated material and production concepts for large-scale additive manufacture of wood structures including furniture and, eventually, sustainable buildings.

“Our vision is to radically change the way we produce everything from furniture, accessories and structural elements to entire buildings. In that way, we lay the groundwork for a new chain of products and services based on 3D-printed wood,” said Innventia’s project manager Mikael Lindström.

Would Wood was originally proposed by three architects. The project will include research into materials development, robotics and additive manufacturing processes, and design tools for developing sustainable wood-based composites for 3D printing.

According to Innventia's website:

The project aims to develop the sustainable materials of the future. New materials cannot be developed optimally if they have to be adapted to current manufacturing processes, which is why it is important that the production of the new innovative materials is organized in close cooperation with the development of new manufacturing processes.

Innventia has already developed wood-lignum-based materials, including carbon fiber and nanocellulose materials.

A number of other groups and companies have come up with printable wood solutions, including Chalmers University of Technology, Materialise, and 4 AXYZ.

Source: Woodworking Network