Non-Planar 3D Concrete

Printing Beyond the Flat Plane

Can you 3D print concrete at a 90-degree angle and then turn back again?

This project set out to explore exactly that question, pushing the limits of what robotic concrete printing can achieve beyond traditional, planar layer-by-layer fabrication.

Rather than relying on support material or post-processing, the goal was to test whether geometry alone, combined with precise control over the printing process, could enable extreme directional changes.

Non-Planar Printing in Practice

Using non-planar printing paths, we successfully printed a sharp 90° angle without any additional support. By continuously adapting the toolpath to the geometry, the printer was able to maintain surface quality, dimensional accuracy, and structural stability throughout the transition.

This experiment demonstrates how non-planar printing can unlock complex overhangs and directional shifts that are not possible with conventional planar approaches, while keeping the process efficient and material-conscious.

Expanding Design Freedom in Concrete

This project is more than a visual experiment. It represents an important step toward expanding the design freedom of robotic 3D concrete printing for architectural and construction applications.

By proving that sharp angles and directional changes can be printed reliably, non-planar printing opens new possibilities for expressive forms, optimized structures, and integrated architectural details, all produced directly through the printing process.

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