The American University of Sharjah Enterprises (AUSE) and American University of Sharjah (AUS) recently held a three-day workshop on robotics and 3D printing in construction industry.

The objective was to highlight potential opportunities in research and development in construction and introducing how robotics and automation could help increase cost-effectiveness and reduce labour requirements and construction waste.

During the event, the AUS also showcased some of the best 3D printing projects of its senior students.

The robotics and 3D printing in the construction industry workshop is in line with AUSE’s commitment to boost scientific and technical innovations that support Sharjah’s efforts in building a knowledge-based economy, said the statement from the university.

Ause has further encouraged this step by adopting robotics and 3D printing as construction tools.
Prospects for the 3D printing in construction are huge as market studies have revealed that robotics and 3D printing for the sector can cut labour requirements by 50 per cent, construction timeframe by 50 to 70 per cent and industry waste by 70 per cent.

Finland’s Oulu University of Applied Sciences (OAMK), which is Sharjah’s key partner in business development and setting up of a world-class innovation ecosystem for the emirate, presented an innovation management approach highlighting its ‘LAB model’, said the statement from AUS.

The presentation underscored the breakthroughs that must be achieved before 3D printing can become commercially viable for making concrete, such as the formulation of a concrete that is suitable for regional environment that is hot and humid, digitisation of the construction process, and building of horizontal structures through 3D printing, it added.-TradeArabia News Service