AKO Pinch Valves used in Robotic 3D Concrete Printing Application

3D Concrete Printing in Action AKO UK are supplying their VMP plastic Pinch Valve in DN25 (product code VMP025-03XK-72) into a concrete slurry application, which is used as a fail safe option. The concrete slurry with very fine aggregates in size 0.3-1mm is used for robotic concrete printing. The world’s first commercial 3D concrete printing robot is currently in design production, with the aim to be used on site to produce a variety of elements including cladding panels. The first commercial machine is hoped to be ready in approx 14 months. A prototype has been worked on over the past 2 years. Towering above the average person, the advanced six-axis robot is fitted with a computer-controlled printer nozzle, attached to a gantry and a robotic arm, which deposits a high-performance concrete. Approx 10mm in diameter of concrete is extruded from a nozzle in the shape of a bead, which rapidly makes passes back and forth, laying down large amounts of concrete until an entire 3D object is created. More information on the robotic printing arm machine can be seen with the technology in action.