This work conducted a study of the state of the art of 3D concrete printers, from their inception to the large machines and constructions that have already been built around the world. Additionally, a bibliographic analysis was performed to determine the best parameters and characteristics of the concrete mixture that will be extruded by the printers. The results show that mixtures with values between 2 and 8mm in the slump test and measurements between 150 and 190mm in the flow test are the most suitable for this methodology (procedures according to North American standards). In this study, six companies were also presented (five international and one domestic), along with the technologies produced by each of them, including the constructions carried out and their particularities. The analyses also included a breakdown of the processes that are part of the printing process, such as the conceptual stage, the technical stage, the operational stage, and finishing. Subsequently, a preliminary comparative analysis was conducted between two methods of building houses: the traditional use of concrete walls and the innovative technology of 3D printing concrete houses. The study was conducted by creating a model plan for a 3D-printed construction by Apis Cor, an American company. Based on this plan, material and labor data were estimated, and then priced using the SINAPI table. Data were collected to assess the production cost, execution time, and productivity of both methods. Finally, despite certain limitations, this analysis demonstrated a 53.86% reduction in the production cost of concrete houses through 3D printing, a 94.8% decrease in execution time, and a 20-fold increase in productivity. Furthermore, the research indicated that with the production of around 40 model houses, the investment in the printer would become economically viable, highlighting the potential for a financial
return.
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