Gallery: A Taste of How 3-D Printing Could Transform High-Tech Architecture

  • Global engineering firm Arup usually tackles massively complex projects but their latest creation is a humble piece of...
    Photos by Davidfotografie
    01

    arup-08

    Global engineering firm Arup usually tackles massively complex projects, but their latest creation is a humble piece of hardware called a node which is meant to hold high tension structural cables in place.
  • The webbing around the neck of the node is decorative but serves a vital purpose supporting the ring during the 3D...
    Photos by Davidfotografie
    02

    arup-01

    The webbing around the neck of the node is decorative, but serves a vital purpose supporting the ring during the 3-D printing process.
  • Image may contain Machine Wheel Tire Car Wheel Spoke and Alloy Wheel
    Photos by Davidfotografie
    03

    arup-09

    The complex geometry can appear arbitrary, but ever swoop and hole serves a functional purpose.
  • Image may contain Motor Machine and Engine
    Photos by Arup
    04

    arup-animation

    The new node can seamlessly replace it's clunkier cousin while upgrading the aesthetics of the installation.
  • The original node was manufactured by welding stainless steel sheets and tubes together—a process that is timeconsuming...
    Photos by Davidfotografie
    05

    arup-04

    The original node was manufactured by welding stainless steel sheets and tubes together,—a process that is time-consuming and wasteful.
  • Image may contain Animal and Fish
    Photos by Arup
    06

    arup-standing

    The node in these pictures is just a scale-model prototype, but Arup hopes to start using 3-D printed parts in a production setting within a year.
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