TAM offers a full array of services for the 3D concrete Printing (3DCP) industry:

• We design and manufacture 3D concrete printers and accessories

• We provide training and technical support to users of 3DCP

• We test 3DCP mortars and other materials offered by different suppliers, under controlled conditions, in our R&D centres in Europe and in Canada

• We offer printing services in the field with our certified technicians

• We develop and test software to control 3DCP processes

• We produce 3DCP products and artifacts in our production facilities in Europe and in Canada

• We provide engineering services to developers and end-users of 3DCP equipment

There a many different types of 3DCP systems (printers) that come in many sizes. Generally, larger systems are suited to printing large structures like houses, whereas smaller ones are better suited for production of garden accessories and special architectural features.

TAM offers different printers suitable for different applications. Please consult our Product List for more information.

TAM manufactures 3DCP systems only when a client’s order is accepted. Larger, more complex systems take longer to manufacture and test than smaller more simple systems.

TAM can manufacture a new 3DCP system between 16 weeks and 18 weeks from confirmation of the client’s order; the system can be available for shipping from the TAM manufacturing facility once the factory acceptance test is completed by TAM technicians.

There are many components that make-up a fully functional 3DCP system. The components can be regrouped as follows:

• Printer structure on which the printer nozzle will be mounted.

• The printer nozzle and auxiliary hoses that feed the mortar to the nozzle.

• The concrete (mortar) pump that mixes and feeds the mortar to the nozzle.

• The control panel that operates and controls the mechanical components of the system.

• The software package that contains the programs that operate and control the 3DCP system.

TAM will sell parts and most of the major components separately to its clients. Please note that some components (like concrete pumps) can be purchased from other manufacturers BUT must be programmed to operate properly with each specific 3DCP system. TAM will support its clients by reprograming other manufacturers’ components to operate with its own systems; the TAM warranty does not cover such non-TAM components.

All persons that operate a 3DCP system must receive proper training in order to successfully produce elements with the system.

TAM provides commissioning of its systems and training of the client’s operators with each purchase of a TAM 3DCP system. We also provide online support for a period of one year after commissioning of our systems.

Programming a 3DCP system requires some understanding of the software that operates the system. TAM will train operators to input standard instructions that control the system. Our technicians will also support our clients to write special programs to produce specialized elements that are unique to the client.
Operators do not need special robotics programming knowledge to be able to operate the 3DCP system.

TAM guarantees all its systems (printers) and accessories for 24 months or 4160 operating hours (whichever comes first) from commissioning. The TAM warranty covers any defects or malfunctions that originate from faulty design or manufacturing of the system components. In the event that the TAM products fail under normal use, TAM service is free of charge for the warranty period. Liability for direct damages is limited to 50% of the total system price purchased by the client.

TAM’s normal delivery terms are FCA at TAM’s production facility. We can arrange DAP shipping terms at extra cost.

Shipping cost vary greatly depending on point of origin and destination as well as availability of shipping containers for sea shipments and government and shipping regulations. Cost of ground transportation also vary greatly from country to country.

It is not difficult to maintain a 3DCP system. The most important is to make sure the system components are cleaned thoroughly after every few hours. This requires dismantling the main components and cleaning thoroughly with clean water. Some systems also have some components that require lubrication from time to time. The frequency of lubrication will depend on the environment where they are used. More dusty environments require more frequent lubrication.

TAM has printed numerous elements with our 3DCP systems, both with 1K (single component) and with 2K (2 components) mortars. In addition to printing the first 3d printed house in Canada, we printed picnic tables for a municipal park in Nelson BC, outdoor stairs, retaining walls, flowerpots, utility buildings, etc. We have considerable experience in designing, programming and producing printed concrete elements of all sizes and shapes.

Please visit our Project Gallery to learn more about our past printed projects.

TAM printed a complete house in the mountainous region of southern British Columbia Canada in 2020. This region experiences large variations in temperatures which can range from -20C in winter to more than 30C in summer. The house complies with local building regulations and is fully permitted. The design is based on the Fibonacci formula. It was fabricated in sections, in our production facility, with one of our large 3DCP systems and assembled outside on a precast concrete slab. TAM developed a system of interlocking sections that are easy to assemble and ensure highly stable and strong structures.

Curious to learn more about TAM’s Fibonacci House? Please visit the Project Gallery or read what CPT Global wrote about the Fibonacci project.

TAM is not a licensed contractor. We can work with your selected local contractor to build your house. We can review the architect’s drawing and comment on suitability for 3D concrete printing. We can provide estimates of quantities of 3DCP materials required and provide names of possible suppliers. We can provide a suitable 3DCP system, train the operators, and provide technical support to assist your contractor in the actual fabrication of your house. Your contractor will be responsible to provide approved drawings and arrange and obtain all necessary permits for construction in compliance with local regulations.

The 3DCP elements will typically represent between 30% and 45% of the total content of a house. 3DCP is suitable for construction of foundations and walls of a house as well as other architectural features like stairways, retaining walls, and decorative elements. Other elements like windows, doors, HVAC systems, electrical systems, plumbing systems, interior finishes, etc. make up the rest of the cost of building a house. The actual total cost as well as the cost of the 3DCP elements will vary depending on the design, the size and location of the house.

TAM can provide you with estimates of the cost of materials and printing of the 3DCP elements if you provide us with detailed architectural drawings.

The short answer to this is YES. Our larger 3DCP systems can print up to a height of 9 meters. They are suitable for printing two story houses. Any structure that is higher than that will require specialized elevation systems to raise the printing system as the building rises. TAM can design and fabricate such elevation systems adapted to each specific project.

The footprint of buildings that can be printed with 3DCP systems is limited by the width of the printing system. Our largest 3DCP systems now have a span of 15 meters and are mounted on rails that can be up to 40 meters long on a level surface. The height that can be reached is currently 9 meters high.

It is always easier to build a house on level ground. However, 3DCP technology allows a lot more flexibility in adapting buildings to a great variety of terrain. TAM has successfully integrated laser scanning of local terrain with its printing control programs to print concrete foundations and walls that follow the contour of the site where the building is built. We refer to it as our Topography Optimization Technology.