In the Future, We’ll 3D Print That Bridge When We Come to It

Dutch startup plans the MX3D Bridge, constructed through 3D printing, over Amsterdam canal

Jeb Brack
23 june 2015

It’s a fascinating blend of the old and the new: robots in the heart of Amsterdam 3D printing a graceful steel bridge over a 17th century canal. That’s the vision behind the collaboration between Dutch startup company MX3D, construction company Heijmans, and designer Joris Laarman, who hope to begin work on the pedestrian bridge in September of 2015.

“The symbolism of the bridge is a beautiful metaphor to connect the technology of the future with the old city, in a way that brings out the best of both worlds,” says Laarman.



Unlike other construction projects which assemble pre-manufactured parts to create a new structure, MX3D will use industrial robots to print the elements of the bridge in place, so that the span will appear to grow from one side of the canal to the other in strong, complex curves of steel not seen in traditional bridges. MX3D CTO Tim Geurtjens says, “By printing with 6-axis industrial robots, we are no longer limited to a square box in which everything happens. Printing a functional, life-size bridge is of course the ideal way to showcase the endless possibilities of this technique.”



Getting robots to “draw” with steel in midair took some doing, and there were many setbacks and false starts as the project developed, and the team expects more as bridge is built, but they also expect to learn new things every step of the way.

“During the course of the project, we will undoubtedly encounter many things we have not catered for at this moment in time,” Laarman says. “It feels like uncharted territory where a whole world of innovation could still be discovered.”

In addition to the main partners, the project has received vital assitance and support from many other sources, including Autodesk, ABB, Air liquide and Lenovo.

MX3D Bridge