B4 - Project Outline

My term project will be a research paper focusing on the use of 3D printing on project sites. More specifically, I will be researching the use of 3D printing to create custom connections at the project site. The outline to my paper can be found below. I chose to research this topic because I have some familiarity with framing connections from specifying them at work.

• Cover Sheet
• Abstract
• Background
• Purpose
• Design/Method
• Results
• Conclusions
• Brief History of 3D printing
• Advancements in 3D printing
• Reduction in costs for machines
• Different materials, specifically the ability to print metals
• 3D printing on a Project Site
• Creating custom connections for unique situations where a standard connection (from Simpson Strong-Tie for example) may not suit a particular situation. Examples of such situations are:
• Standard connection may not meet capacity requirements
• Potentially print a connection that is very similar to a standard connection, though with a thicker gage to increase its load capacity
• Standard connection may not have the correct geometry for a particular framing design
• Print out a connection to accommodate for unique framing situations
• Contractor did not order enough specific connections and cannot afford to wait for the part to ship or be delivered.
• Printing is currently very slow, so this would be an added benefit with advancements in the future
• Connection companies could create a library of standard connections for contractors to license which allows connection companies to still see a profit off of the evolution of the industry.
• Much like AutoDesk, connection companies could license specific types of connections. For example, it would cost X amount of money to license a library of joist hanger models and Y amount of money to license a library of column cap models.
• This could help aid the creation of unique connections by giving contractors a base model to start with.
• Conclusion

Responses:

Lenny Knittel - The Bullitt Center is a really cool looking building and the fact that it is the only building that is energy neutral will make it a fun topic to research.

Santiago Uribe - The topic of automated home systems is very fitting for the class. Researching both the presents and future advances in the industry should be interesting.

Angelina Castro - Creating a BIM model of a proposed building is definitely going to help learn BIM/Revit in detail. While watching tutorials is great, actually putting together a model will really help learn the program and its capabilities.