Contour Crafting: Build a house in 20 hours

[Primus58]

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.

[Primus58]

This is the Contour Crafting website: 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

[ArMaP]

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. 

[Primus58]

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.

[ArMaP]

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.

[Primus58]

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

[ArMaP]

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.
- 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.

[Primus58]

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/

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!

[ArMaP]

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)

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 ) 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.

[Primus58]

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.

[ArMaP]

What? You should read what you just wrote... LOL!

Why, what's wrong with it? I don't see it. 

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!

That's my problem, I don't see that machine as a beneficial contribution to humanity, just as another business.

It seems to me you're just out to argue with someone.

No, I have better things to do.

In 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.

I wish you well, I'm done here.

Thanks.

[ShotInTheDark]

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!!! 

[Primus58]

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!

[Primus58]

That's my problem, I don't see

Exactly!

[ArMaP]

Exactly!

Sorry for thinking in a different way.