Contour Crafting: Automated Construction: Behrokh Khoshnevis at TEDxOjai

Behrokh Khoshnevis is a professor of Industrial & Systems Engineering and is the Director of Manufacturing Engineering Graduate Program at the University of Southern California (USC). He is active in CAD/CAM, robotics and mechatronics related related research projects that include the development of novel Solid Free Form, or Rapid Prototyping, processes (Contour Crafting and SIS), automated construction of civil structures, development of CAD/CAM systems for biomedical applications (e.g., restorative dentistry, rehabilitation engineering, haptics devices for medical applications), autonomous mobile and modular robots for assembly applications in space, and invention of technologies in the field of oil and gas. His research in simulation has aimed at creating intelligent simulation tools that can automatically perform many simulation functions that are conventionally performed by human analysts. His textbook, "Discrete Systems Simulation", and his simulation software EZSIM benefit from some aspects of his research in simulation. He routinely conducts lectures and seminars on invention and technology development.

He is a Fellow member of the Society for Computer Simulation and a Fellow member of the Institute of Industrial Engineering. He is a senior member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. His website: http://www-rcf.usc.edu/~khoshnev/

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• Category

  Science & Technology

[rhadiem]

This would be a great way to reduce cost of housing, while offering tons of flexibility. Yes, jobs will probably be lost, and others created. Such is life.

[TieXiongJi]

More automation means more human minds doing what computers and robots cannot, thinking!

[NewNow4u]

It figures that NASA and the government will fund this for the Moon - but will not fund housing for the ones that need it here on our planet. We could make a difference now if greed was not the starting point of everything we do.

[rtackaert]

Just heard a talk from Prof Khoshnevis at my university. The idea of doing this is quite a revolution but honestly I don't think it's that's far away. And to the constrcutuction of taller/bigger structures it's actually possible to attach the "printer" to the structure and continue building from there.

[bayushizero]

With the ability to 3D print a new bracket/standoff, I'd be able to avoid "jury rigging" which can lead to a whole other realm of problems.

[bayushizero]

Oh, I completely understand that much.

My best friend is a plumber by trade, and he loves this idea. He hates having to go to Home Depot to try to find that specific pipe fitting or elbow joint and have to make do with something else because what he needs isn't in stock.

Plastic retaining bracket broke? Replacement is impossible? 3D Printing to the rescue! I've had this problem with PCs. I had a standoff for a motherboard break, forcing me to jury rig something to avoid an electrical short.

[Joe Hanlon]

That needs spinning though due to its string structure so a little more complicated to automate, besides which by the time a working technology for that was invented the production and use of carbon nanotubes may well be on a useful, industrial scale.

[Joe Hanlon]

Well yes but imagine how 3D printing can revolutionalise these trades. Currently if you don't have "that specific part" in the van you can't do the job, now you 3D print any plumbing part you like! Same as what you're saying just a little retraining. Same applies for all other trades, electricians included, that ever involve a physical process, which I think is all of them. Can't wait until things like this become common place.

[NMHAJA]

Im afraid that was too much theory. But good point,

[bayushizero]

Large scale construction will still require manual labor. Think the nearly finished One World Trade Center in NYC, and other such large structures. I'm doubting that we'll be building 3D printers THAT large.

[bayushizero]

Plumbers and the like will still be required.

Residential plumbers, for example, to come handle plumbing issues (clogs, etc).

Electricians in case a homeowner wants to modify something in an already built structure?

The people who create the designs themselves for the device to build will need to have some level of expertise in their field(s).

[bayushizero]

SCV ready to go!