As a design/drafter I've used CADAM, AutoCAD, Inventor, and SolidWorks for 3D modeling. I've heard of 3D printers for rapid prototyping, but this company takes it to another level! Contour Crafting looks very promising for the future of this planet, and for structures off planet. Here is a short 12 minute video explaining a new method for building houses that could revolutionize home building while solving some of humanity's problems.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdbJP8Gxqog
This is the Contour Crafting website: http://www.contourcrafting.org/ (http://www.contourcrafting.org/)
Here's a Yahoo news article: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/3d-printer-could-build-house-20-hours-224156687.html (http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/3d-printer-could-build-house-20-hours-224156687.html)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8429/7790114604_c67bcfcec0.jpg)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8431/7790114290_830fa61728.jpg)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8295/7790114392_33f62b5fa2.jpg)
I haven't watched the video (I think most videos are a waste of time :) ), but I don't think that the time it takes to build a house is the biggest reason for people living in bad conditions, so I don't see how this can solve any real problem.
Unless we are talking about the problems companies have to build more houses in less time with fewer workers, in that case I think this may be a solution. :)
Quote from: ArMaP on August 15, 2012, 08:19:53 PM
I haven't watched the video (I think most videos are a waste of time :) ), but I don't think that the time it takes to build a house is the biggest reason for people living in bad conditions, so I don't see how this can solve any real problem.
Unless we are talking about the problems companies have to build more houses in less time with fewer workers, in that case I think this may be a solution. :)
There are many problems this technology can solve; reduce the rate deforestation, cut the cost of construction way down, and offer housing that is far superior in its ability to withstand the elements. The fact that these homes can be built at a faster rate translates to a benefit for large populated areas. Nowhere in this video did it mention the 'biggest' reason why people are living in bad conditions is due to the time it takes to build a house! Many videos are a waste of time, but I think this one is well worth the time.
Quote from: Primus58 on August 15, 2012, 08:32:55 PM
There are many problems this technology can solve; reduce the rate deforestation, cut the cost of construction way down, and offer housing that is far superior in its ability to withstand the elements. The fact that these homes can be built at a faster rate translates to a benefit for large populated areas. Nowhere in this video did it mention the 'biggest' reason why people are living in bad conditions is due to the time it takes to build a house! Many videos are a waste of time, but I think this one is well worth the time.
As you had said "while solving some of humanity's problems" I thought it was really about the biggest home related problems humanity face, not about deforestation (that doesn't happen in Portugal, for example, we don't use wood houses), or withstanding the elements (concrete structures are strong enough for most cases), and I doubt it will be cheaper than cement and bricks.
I guess I will watch the video. :)
Quote from: ArMaP on August 15, 2012, 09:09:42 PM
As you had said "while solving some of humanity's problems" I thought it was really about the biggest home related problems humanity face, not about deforestation (that doesn't happen in Portugal, for example, we don't use wood houses), or withstanding the elements (concrete structures are strong enough for most cases), and I doubt it will be cheaper than cement and bricks.
I guess I will watch the video. :)
LOL... sorry if I came across wrong! The video doesn't mention deforestation, that was my thought. If this method of building catches on, the costs would come down. Many homes here in the states are built using wood; wood rots, gets eaten by termites, burns easy, and uses up natural resources reducing the beauty and function of this planet. Obrigado :)
OK, I watched the video, and it was funnier than expected. :)
- He says that the slums result in overpopulation? Isn't that the other way? ???
- Construction is more dangerous than mining? Where does this guy gets his "facts"?
- Construction is "corruption prone" because of the management processes? And his machine stops that?
- Costly and always over budget? That guy is funny. :D
- He is thinking about using concrete? Those houses will be extremely heavy. And he is expecting to make a vertical wall of layered concrete in 20 hours? When does the concrete solidifies? ???
- OK, I see that the walls done by the prototype are not completely solid, they have empty spaces, but it will still make it very heavy. And we don't know how long did it take to make that low wall, for what we know he may have waited days for it to solidify.
- Funny that the NASA supported project doesn't use the system for housing, don't they trust it? :)
- The elderly can be employed in "more creative activities of construction"! Too bad we don't have lol icon. :)
From what I see, that is only viable in areas that were already prepared to have the machine working there, as it, apparently, needs some support infrastructure (at least an already prepared place for the house).
One thing he doesn't mention is if everyone can make the (probably) special type of concrete used or if it will be under some kind of patent. :)
Quote from: ArMaP on August 15, 2012, 09:39:59 PM
OK, I watched the video, and it was funnier than expected. :)
- He says that the slums result in overpopulation? Isn't that the other way? ???
What he states it straight forward and plainly accurate "...these slums are the breeding ground for disease, crime, illiteracy, and overpopulation."
- Construction is more dangerous than mining? Where does this guy gets his "facts"?
Fact, far more people die in construction than mining.
- Construction is "corruption prone" because of the management processes? And his machine stops that?
LOL, not likely, perhaps he's referring to less layers of management.
- OK, I see that the walls done by the prototype are not completely solid, they have empty spaces, but it will still make it very heavy. And we don't know how long did it take to make that low wall, for what we know he may have waited days for it to solidify.
Yeah I agree on that one, but, he did say they use composite fiber in addition to high performance concrete. He never said you would move in within 20 hours... LOL! I think he was making the point this system is far more efficient than a load of contractors and all the headaches that comes with building a house, whcih as you know can take months.
From what I see, that is only viable in areas that were already prepared to have the machine working there, as it, apparently, needs some support infrastructure (at least an already prepared place for the house).
This is true for building any house, the site has to be prepped regardless of the method of construction. This system could be modular and easily set up just about anywhere in the world. Check these guys out, they will deliver everything in the most remote places in the world, even loading everything up on barges and ships for remote locations like islands. http://www.topsider.com/ (http://www.topsider.com/)
You have to understand this is only the preliminary phase of a concept, I see this as an optimistic, enthusiastic solution for bettering life on this planet. Anyone can nit pick at all the negative perceptions, but I prefer hearing from problem solvers with positive input.
You do make some good points, thanks! :)
Slums are the result of overpopulation, they are not a source of overpopulation, the only source of overpopulation is population. :)
Saying that more people die in construction than on mining is playing with the truth, as much more people work in construction than in mining.
According to the 2010 numbers (the ones I could find), 774 people died in construction and 172 in mining (although that year it was a huge accident in a mine and the Deepwater Horizon explosion), but the number of fatalities per 100,000 workers is 9.8 and 19.8, respectively, making mining twice as dangerous as construction. The most dangerous work, apparently, is in agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting, with a 27.9 ratio.
(source for the above information here (http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/cfoi/cfch0009.pdf))
The preparation for the site is relative, as you can start building a house using today's methods with very little preparation. Most of the slums here in Portugal have concrete and brick houses, as the methods are simple and anyone can do it (but spreading cement over the bricks is trickier than it looks, as it tends to fall down :D) in any place, they don't need any specially prepared lane for some machine to move back and forth.
One thing he doesn't say in the video is how the machine gets it's power, is it electricity, some kind of internal combustion engine, or both?
To me, usually an optimist, this looks more like some guy looking to get some money, as the problems he talks about will not be solved by any machine.
Quote from: ArMaP on August 16, 2012, 12:06:36 AM
Slums are the result of overpopulation, they are not a source of overpopulation, the only source of overpopulation is population. :)
What? ??? You should read what you just wrote... LOL!
To me, usually an optimist, this looks more like some guy looking to get some money, as the problems he talks about will not be solved by any machine.
Hey you're free to look at things however you want. I see no problem with him making money, especially if it's a beneficial contribution to humanity! It seems to me you're just out to argue with someone. In no way does he state this machine will solve all the problems humanity; you've truly missed the point. I wish you well, I'm done here.
Quote from: Primus58 on August 16, 2012, 12:53:49 AM
What? ??? You should read what you just wrote... LOL!
Why, what's wrong with it? I don't see it. ???
QuoteHey you're free to look at things however you want. I see no problem with him making money, especially if it's a beneficial contribution to humanity!
That's my problem, I don't see that machine as a beneficial contribution to humanity, just as another business.
QuoteIt seems to me you're just out to argue with someone.
No, I have better things to do. :)
QuoteIn no way does he state this machine will solve all the problems humanity; you've truly missed the point.
I didn't said that he did.
QuoteI wish you well, I'm done here.
Thanks. :)
Quote from: Primus58 on August 16, 2012, 12:53:49 AM
Hey you're free to look at things however you want. I see no problem with him making money, especially if it's a beneficial contribution to humanity! It seems to me you're just out to argue with someone. In no way does he state this machine will solve all the problems humanity; you've truly missed the point. I wish you well, I'm done here.
Primus I think this idea is fantastic and revolutionary. The benefits of Structural Integrity and instant plumbing an electrical systems being installed in a 20 hour build is amazing. The savings of such a property can make a person who wants to own a home a reality!!! Maybe these homes would be cheap enough in price that people could get away from having to borrow from the Snakes that run Investment Banks, The Wall Street Cartels The Foreign Banking Cartells!!!! I see many benefits and no drawbacks!!! :)
Quote from: ShotInTheDark on August 16, 2012, 01:24:46 AM
Primus I think this idea is fantastic and revolutionary. The benefits of Structural Integrity and instant plumbing an electrical systems being installed in a 20 hour build is amazing. The savings of such a property can make a person who wants to own a home a reality!!! Maybe these homes would be cheap enough in price that people could get away from having to borrow from the Snakes that run Investment Banks, The Wall Street Cartels The Foreign Banking Cartells!!!! I see many benefits and no drawbacks!!! :)
Good point, I too think it's revolutionary! When big earthquakes it Haiti, Iran, and other extremely poor areas the loss of life is even higher because of the shanty construction. From an engineering standpoint, these structures are three times stronger than typical homes built of wood, more so of homes built of brick and mortar. Thanks for your input, I'm glad you saw the positive side of this instead of tearing it down. In 27 years of engineering, there was always the person who was unhappy with every stage of a project, often, while they were bitching we were solving the very things they were complaining about!
They been making concrete houses here in Las Vegas... come as prefabbed sections or molded on the spot. They are a BIATCH to run security and cable wires in LOL
Here is one cement house... comes in at $37 million :o
(http://homedesignart.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/37-million-contemporary-home-in-las-vegas-nevada.jpg)
Poured concrete is great for interesting designs too :D
(http://unusuallife.com/wp-content/uploads2006/shellhouse_02.jpg)
(http://assets.inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2010/08/new-222.jpg)
But yeah they do simple quick ones too :P
(http://images.onset.freedom.com/odessa/lk8aml-lk8aiu042511icfhouse1web.jpg)
As to solving the problem of housing for slums... that will only happens IF someone is willing to build houses for the slum occupants for free since they don't have any money.
And even when you do that, the places will very soon be totally trashed.
I know this from experience in two countries. Several high rise state of the art apartments buildings were condemned because the welfare tenants literally destroyed the place
Native Americans built homes out of mud... but they were clean and livable
But in certain slum areas they throw their garbage and toilet leavings into the very water they drink...
Then their kids swim in it
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KRrIq3tsnvs/TG2WGF70q1I/AAAAAAAAAZs/p9j7OOes-CY/s1600/swimming+in+trash.jpg)
Love this machine... great business... but it won't solve the slum problems...
Here is the Illegal Hyway in Arizona the trail illegal Mexicans use to enter the USA... Now we know about it so why are we not closing it? But these people drop everything including dirty diapers.
(http://doctorbulldog.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/layup4.jpg)
(http://www.thisisjuststupid.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/image/border1_edited.jpg)
(http://www.thisisjuststupid.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/image/border2_edited.jpg)
We have a problem right here in our own country with the slum mentality. You can build them a house and take the person out of the slum, but you can't take the slum out of the person by giving them a home
In the meantime millions of working class Americans are losing theirs and many millions more are close
Quote from: Primus58 on August 15, 2012, 05:38:20 PM
As a design/drafter I've used CADAM, AutoCAD, Inventor, and SolidWorks for 3D modeling. I've heard of 3D printers for rapid prototyping, but this company takes it to another level! Contour Crafting looks very promising for the future of this planet, and for structures off planet. Here is a short 12 minute video explaining a new method for building houses that could revolutionize home building while solving some of humanity's problems.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdbJP8Gxqog
I seem to share a lot of your past, add for me designing and building automated machines. I do like the TED shows, never a bad one. I understand very well that this is in concept phase. I also have designed and built a lot of very large facilities. So I think I should know something about this.
If you want to build this or a slab, it could work. What about foundations and digging them or adding piles. Underground sewage and water lines. All of which would have to be above ground. For windows, I guess they could just hang some material over the opening at night. As far as any steel, I guess they could just butt weld the lengths as they move up. Automatic welding has been around for years. But all of the little things that take the time are not covered in the video. The toilets, the wiring, plumbing, flooring, walls, stairs, painting or wallpapering. To finish a building is where the time and money comes in. You can put up a house in a day, Ask Jimmy Carter.
I do see one advantage. It would be really nice for irregular shaped buildings if any one wanted one. It could also do a nice job on swimming pools. The NASA stuff was interesting also. Machines could do all of the form work and then let them be fitted by the Astronauts.
As far as the slum problem. This will never help that in any way. All those new buildings would be just new concrete slums in a week. If you ( they ) really want to help those people, Stop them from having so many kids # 1 and then train them to make their own houses. If they build them themselves they might care for them a little bit better. Most people like this, do not care one inch about things they do not own or do! It is the old give a man a fish deal! I would be willing to say that if they gave them to these people, within a week they would pull out any copper wire, aluminum, glass and anything else they could sell to make money. They would be stripped so quick it would make your head spin. They would even cut up those machines while you were at lunch and sell the metal.
If you don't believe that, you need to get away more and see it for yourself. My friend just finished a bridge in one of these areas and everything was taken at least 3 times until they put on big guard dogs behind 2 fences with barb wire. The first 2 sets of guards were in on it and took bribes. Even when some of them were offered work, they refused. It would take away their standing. At the very end they took the barb wire while the team was in town returning the dogs. Came back to nothing!
Free homes for the poor? Who pays that bill? I think they should spend more time on the social issues first. Have Gates send them some free 3rd world toilets first. That might help as long as they have no trade in value.
IMHO this will not cure the problem in the video but may have other uses, even underwater or building railway lines! Deuem
Armap, Zorgon, and Deuem, all of you missed my point about this video! I never said it would solve the problems of third world slums, nor did I say or even allude that we would build free houses for the masses... LOL! Man oh man, let me break down what I said; I often write things in the wake of a very fast mind, hence what I write skips much of what I thought. But first, ArMap, I apologize for being condescending, I had just watched a video of someone committing suicide and I was upset... I know that's not an excuse, but I was sideways in spirit. I appreciate you thinking differently, no need to apologize! :)
This technology, when implemented with good design, might reduce the cost of housing and massive insurance claims due to wind, earthquakes, and be more fire resistant. Over time, it would spread and eventually be more affordable for the poor too. This certainly isn't a panacea, but it's a workable solution for affordable housing that can better withstand the elements. I say it looks promising for the future of this planet because it does have that potential to streamline the building process while improving safety. If this method of building took off and spread, we might also see a reduction in deforestation... but I'm not sure about that. as for the time it takes, you guys are correct, it would be longer, but it sure would blow away the time it takes to build a conventional house.
I fully agree that this will do nothing to lift people out of poverty! Maybe another reason I like Contour Crafting is the fact that I lost a house to foreclosure when my job went to India, and now I live in an expletive trailer, a real P.O.S.! LOL!
Quote from: Primus58 on August 16, 2012, 08:09:32 PM
I never said it would solve the problems of third world slums, nor did I say or even allude that we would build free houses for the masses...
No, you didn't said that, but the video is presented that way, as something that will be the best thing since sliced bread, even the elderly will be employed in "more creative activities of construction".
QuoteBut first, ArMap, I apologize for being condescending, I had just watched a video of someone committing suicide and I was upset... I know that's not an excuse, but I was sideways in spirit. I appreciate you thinking differently, no need to apologize! :)
No problems. :)
QuoteThis technology, when implemented with good design, might reduce the cost of housing and massive insurance claims due to wind, earthquakes, and be more fire resistant.
In what you wrote we can already see something that makes this technology limited to some places, as insurance claims due to wind, earthquakes and fire are few in Portugal (for example), where even the poor have brick houses (like the third pig in the story ;D).
QuoteOver time, it would spread and eventually be more affordable for the poor too.
I doubt it will spread, for several reasons, one of them the fact that the construction business is multi billion dollar business, so any thing seen as an attempt to change the status quo will be pushed aside. Other reason is that I don't see this becoming cheap enough (both the machine and all that is needed to make it work on the construction place) to replace the present day methods.
QuoteI fully agree that this will do nothing to lift people out of poverty! Maybe another reason I like Contour Crafting is the fact that I lost a house to foreclosure when my job went to India, and now I live in an expletive trailer, a real P.O.S.! LOL!
That sucks. :(
All of my notes have to do with the video and not you.
He is presenting this as a save all and a lot of people will buy into it if not careful.
People make a lot of money exploiting the poor.
These people in his video will never change, even if you gave them the houses for free.
The social life has to change first. If i had to live in that enviroment the place would be clean and we would dig out houses. All of the water would be treated as sacred and untouchable except for drinking and using. Many people arond the world have less money than they do and make a better life out of it. Take the ones that care and help them get out. The rest are there because they want o be there and live like that. No worries, just make kids to do all of your work. Deuem
Quote from: Primus58 on August 16, 2012, 08:09:32 PM
I fully agree that this will do nothing to lift people out of poverty!
Well I agree that it would be (and is starting to be) a solution. Our house here in Vegas is built of cinder block very cheap for the builder but also not to bad for insulation as the blocks have air pockets. The poured concrete houses they were building years ago when I was still putting in systems had a core layer of foam for insulation
Re: Deforestation...
Canada came up with a solution.. we call it 2x4 trees :P basically what it is is a fast growing spruce variety that matures into a tree large enough to cut 1 or 2 2x4 studs and the rest cut into wood chips.
If you check the lumber yard you will see most 2v4 studs ALL look like they were cut from the center of the tree... they were :D So there are solutions
What they do is take five plots of land, plant enough in each lot to harvest in one year. Then they replant it. Next year the second lot is ready and so on. After 5 years you sart at lot one again :D
Now concrete has one drawback... you have to strip mine the limestone :D
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5119/5815104273_f5be377886_z.jpg)
(http://www.mineralengineering.utoronto.ca/Assets/Mineraleng+Digital+Assets/Field+Trips/St+Marys1.JPG)
The advantage to that for guys like me is free fossils for the picking :D
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8293/7767081534_0c42281b6e.jpg)
QuoteMaybe another reason I like Contour Crafting is the fact that I lost a house to foreclosure when my job went to India, and now I live in an expletive trailer, a real P.O.S.! LOL!
That sucks big time...
I lost 2 already... not foreclosure but when I left Winipeg had to walk away becuase the property was worth 1/3 of what we owed. When we then had the second house in Toronto, just before we moved to the US General Motors closed there Oshawa plant so instead of selling and having cash to start here, we lost that one because there was only one employer in town and everyone left. Houses were abandoned...
So now we find that under the current financial conditions the bank is saying they won't refinance at the lower rate because our property is worth less again. Even though we have an FHA and a large corner lot.
Going to fight it but that is three times in a row....
If we move out we are screwed because there will be no equity and yet only a few years ago the place appraised at $480,000.00 when the California Rush was on... now places close to us are going for $85,000...
LOL had I known... :P but then I like it here :D
On the cinder blocks, you can fill them with foam or concrete as you go up an they make a nice toasty home. You can also add insulation to the outside before siding.
On the House value, There is a good thing you can do, get your taxes lowered. If you are paying on 480K and the value is 85K, Run don't walk to city hall with facts in hand and get a tax break. I did this once and won, they did ask me to keep my mouth shut because everyone would want it. I cut my home tax by 2/3 for 10 years. Try it. Your house can only be taxed on its selling value. Not the sold value. Deuem Yes you can fight city hall and win!