3D-printed bridge in red light district opened by Dutch Queen with robot arm

[Molematt]

WTF?! It's a turn of events that seems like it was spat out by a neural network trained on Elon Musk tweets and Black Mirror episodes, but on Thursday, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands ceremonially opened a 12m (40ft) long steel bridge in Amsterdam's red light district, the first in the world to be 3D printed.

Technically, the Queen didn't do the job herself, instead pressing a green button that prompted a robot arm to cut a ribbon for the bridge's opening. While that might seem a bit odd in a vacuum, given the world-first of the bridge and the robotic wire-and-arc additive manufacturing (WAAM, because everybody loves a clumsy acronym), it was more symbolic than anything else.

WAAM uses gas-metal arc welding to deposit layers of metal when printing a structure, a much faster process than building using powdered metal. The end result, in this case is a unique design that looks more sculpted than engineered, which Tim Geurtjens of the fabrication company MX3D said was a major advantage in making more exotic designs easier to build.

"If you want to have a really highly decorated bridge or really aesthetic bridge, suddenly it becomes a good option to print it," he told AP. "Because it’s not just about making things cheaper and more efficient for us, it’s about giving architects and designers a new tool – a new very cool tool – in which they can rethink the design of their architecture and their designs."

The bridge has also been fitted with sensors, so that researchers from Imperial College London can monitor the structure's response to being in use and the stresses of pedestrians crossing it.

Amsterdam councillor Micha Mos, however, had more lofty ambitions for the bridge, hoping that the 6-ton structure could help with the perception of the area and its image. “This may attract a new kind of visitor, one who is more interested in architecture and design, which will help change the way the neighborhood is perceived as more of something you want to visit, but visit respectfully than it has been over the few last decades,” he told AP.

If it's going to do so, it had better start doing so quick though -- the bridge is only set to be in place for two years while the location's previous bridge is being renovated.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/90460-3d-printed-bridge-red-light-district-opened-dutch.html

 

[VitalyT]

The bridge has also been fitted with sensors, so that researchers from Imperial College London can monitor the structure's response to being in use and the stresses of pedestrians crossing it.

That's because the material used isn't exactly suitable for bridges. Who's to say it won't crack in two in the near future? At least it is a short fall into the water, and I guess that's how the constructors got their permission.

But I guess if it makes for a shorter walk into the red district, all is justified.

 

[Hardware Geek]

That's because the material used isn't exactly suitable for bridges. Who's to say it won't crack in two in the near future? At least it is a short fall into the water, and I guess that's how the constructors got their permission.

But I guess if it makes for a shorter walk into the red district, all is justified.

I'll take your word for it that those are risks. I am curious. Is that is because of the metal or manufacturing process (or both)?

 

[kapital98]

That's because the material used isn't exactly suitable for bridges. Who's to say it won't crack in two in the near future? At least it is a short fall into the water, and I guess that's how the constructors got their permission.

But I guess if it makes for a shorter walk into the red district, all is justified.

The Red Light District isn't really designed to use the bridges that much. I lived just outside of that area and biked to my University (which is right next to the district).

The small bridges between the two sides of the river don't get much through-traffic. Even on busy nights. There are bigger bridges (with lots of bike traffic) on both sides of the district.

Really, the Red Light District, for being in the center of the city, is quite small. You wouldn't even know you're in it unless you know the area or are looking for it. Even at night most of the prostitutes are on the side-streets and not easy to see from where that photo is located. The bars are what's easy to spot at night.

 

[Reehahs]

I'll take your word for it that those are risks. I am curious. Is that is because of the metal or manufacturing process (or both)?

It is less to do with metal in this case but more to do with the manufacturing process where delamination between the layers could lead to premature failures.

 

[Danny101]

Is the 3-D print spooler safe though? Much like it's 2-D cousin?

 

[captaincranky]

With that hat, and bright orange dress, if she cut it down to a micro mini, she might pass for one of the hookers herself.

That;s not even mentioning her name. I can see her at curbside; "hi boys, my name's 'Maxima', what's your pleasure"?

(I know, I know, leave it to me to turn this, "major technological achievement", into a tawdry,, "hot, wet mess").

On the weekends though, I'd have her go with hot orange spandex 'booty shorts". In my mind's eye I can hear an outraged Dutchman yelling, "Cranky, you'tr a pig. Have some respect, that's our queen".

 

[Arbie]

Can the material even stand up to red light?

 

[captaincranky]

Can the material even stand up to red light?

If you put a mattress down first, sure, I don't see why not.

 

[ypsylon]

I would hypothesize that printed bridge (or crossing really) may be indeed a way forward for many cities around the World.

A lot of old cities in the Netherlands have "issues" with sinkholes. It's getting worse year by year because foundations are not designed for the weight of the city itself right now. Can't compare XVII century Amsterdam (Golden Age of old Kingdom of Netherlands) to what we have now with population x4 and millions and millions of vehicles. 3Dprinted light crossing is certainly not as taxing on structural rigidity of canals which Amsterdam and other old Dutch cities are famous for.

 

[trgz]

So disappointed after reading 'opened by Dutch Queen with robot arm' - I thought that The Netherlands might be the first with a bionic monarch.

 

[captaincranky]

So disappointed after reading 'opened by Dutch Queen with robot arm' - I thought that The Netherlands might be the first with a bionic monarch.

"Be careful what you wish for"..........

(Warning, 2nd overused meme incoming. Brace yourself),,,,

But really, if, (or when), we start worshiping mechanical monarchs, can "Skynet" be far behind?

 

[R00sT3R]

Nope..It has nothing on:

'Freddie Starr ate my Hamster!'

..Now that's a (real) headline!

 

[captaincranky]

Nope..It has nothing on:

'Freddie Starr ate my Hamster!'

..Now that's a (real) headline!

(IDK if it's true or not).But, Ozzy Osbourne, (allegedly), once bit the head off of a chicken during one of Black Sabbath's concerts.

(I don't care really. Plus, it's old news by now, and I'm not anywhere near what could be called, "a fan").

OTOH, I do feel sorry for the chicken, and anyone unfortunate enough to be of the severely diminished mental capacity, to be willing to sit through a Black Sabbath concert

 

[koblongata]

Fascinating shape

 

[Hardware Geek]

It is less to do with metal in this case but more to do with the manufacturing process where delamination between the layers could lead to premature failures.

That makes sense. I'm still learning about different 3d printing techniques and want to get a machine that can 3d print metal parts when prices for the machines and building material
come down. Specifically for repairs and rapid prototyping. I've seen some cool options but the market is still small and prices are still too high for me to take the plunge.

 

[trgz]

(IDK if it's true or not).But, Ozzy Osbourne, (allegedly), once bit the head off of a chicken during one of Black Sabbath's concerts.

(I don't care really. Plus, it's old news by now, and I'm not anywhere near what could be called, "a fan").

OTOH, I do feel sorry for the chicken, and anyone unfortunate enough to be of the severely diminished mental capacity, to be willing to sit through a Black Sabbath concert

Apparently it was a bat; but whether it was dead or not is up to speculation: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/ozzy-osbourne-bites-head-off-bat-live-on-stage/

 

[captaincranky]

Great link, thanks.

I know I'm old since I only recognized two albums on that "top 25", list.

Speaking of getting of old, English males past the age of maybe 50 or so, start to look like Benny Hill. In Ozzy's case though, he sort of looks like, "Benny Hill's evil double".

.

 

[Fulljack]

That's because the material used isn't exactly suitable for bridges. Who's to say it won't crack in two in the near future? At least it is a short fall into the water, and I guess that's how the constructors got their permission.

But I guess if it makes for a shorter walk into the red district, all is justified.

Don't spread misinformation, man. The material, stainless steel is fine as it has been proven by many bridges around the world. This project are bleeding edge technology, basically a proof-of-concept that you could build a pre-fabricated steel bridges with robots help, so it needs new fabrication technique. Since all construction are destined to fail someday somehow, we take that into account through our calculation. Problem is that the usage of new building technique, we would definitely need more data and information regarding how the fabrication technique being used will affect it in real life—as simulation could only get you so far.

I'm a civil engineer, I know my bridges.

 

[Avro Arrow]

I can see the tourist brochure for the RLD now...

"Visit the Red-Light District! It's so much fun, even the queen visits!"

 

[mbrowne5061]

Don't spread misinformation, man. The material, stainless steel is fine as it has been proven by many bridges around the world. This project are bleeding edge technology, basically a proof-of-concept that you could build a pre-fabricated steel bridges with robots help, so it needs new fabrication technique. Since all construction are destined to fail someday somehow, we take that into account through our calculation. Problem is that the usage of new building technique, we would definitely need more data and information regarding how the fabrication technique being used will affect it in real life—as simulation could only get you so far.

I'm a civil engineer, I know my bridges.

Which is exactly why the bridge installation is a temporary one, and its outfitted with sensors. I'm sure once the restoration of the original bridge is completed and it is returned to its rightful location, this 3D printed bridge is going to be dissected by a small army of material scientists, civil engineers, architects, and the company that printed the bridge. Everyone is going to want to see what worked, what didn't, and have access to the 'usage data' collected by the sensors to see how much stress and strain the structure was under over these next two years.