The advent of 3D printing technology may very well be remembered as one of the most important technological advances of the early twenty-first century. This technology is transforming the dynamics of the manufacturing world in ways that may have not been thought possible a couple of decades ago. 3D printing is now being used in medicine and dentistry to make prosthetic parts, sensors, and medical models among a number of other applications. The versatility of the types of materials that can be 3D printed makes the process extremely useful. The technology is being used in different industries to produce various parts and components for generally lower costs while achieving a better quality. This is either achieved by 3D printing the parts themselves or the molds that would eventually be used to make the parts. However, the construction industry has been slow in adopting this technology for many reasons, many of which still need to be investigated so a way can be found around them. In this paper the authors first examine the history of 3D printing applications in the construction industry. They then provide an overview of recent attempts at applying the technology while discussing the successes and challenges encountered. They finally propose solutions for resolving some of the identified challenges to help the industry move forward in taking advantage of this emerging and potentially beneficial technology.
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