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48 CPI %u2013 Concrete Plant International %u2013 3 | 2025 www.cpi-worldwide.comOptimizing 3D printing through vibration and gravityThe new approach aims to overcome these problems by developing an innovative vibratory concrete printing nozzle. It uses concrete mix compositions with a maximum grain size of 8 mm and sustainable binders. Through the targeted use of mechanical vibrations directly on the print head, the concrete is liquefied during the printing process and discharged using gravity. The thixotropic properties of the fresh concrete are used to influence the rheological properties during the printing process. Immediately on completion of the vibration, the concrete assumes green stability. This ensures consistent 3D printing quality without the need for chemical additives. With the new concrete printing process, the layers can be better bonded together. This results in greater stability and quality of the final product.Successful tests and initial resultsThe laboratory-scale edition of the concrete vibratory printhead has already been successfully tested in the IAB's technical centre. Self-developed concrete mix designs were used, as well as commercially available and approved products. The first results were presented at the BMWK's Innovation Day for SMEs 2024 in Berlin and met with great interest. The next step is to scale up the process to prepare the technology for industrial use. The demonstrator, which is currently in the design phase, will in future be controlled with an industrial robot and will discharge concrete cross-sections up to 100 mm in width and 60 mm in height.The development of the vibration-modulated 3D concrete printing head is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and implemented in cooperation with the Institute for Building Materials at the Technical University of Dresden.For more information, see: www.iab-weimar.de/betonvibra.nFURTHER INFORMATIONwww.iab-weimar.dewww.tu-dresden.dePrinting trials.