Large-scale Robotic 3D Printing of Plant Fibre and Bioplastic Composites

Abstract

This paper presents a methodology for the robotic 3D printing of cellulose and wood shavings with bioplastics for applications in architecture, moulds, or furniture design. The material composition consists of plant fibre, binders, solvents and additives. All of the ingredients are either biodegradable or biocompatible, as in, they naturally occur in the environment. Different material compositions have been explored and tested for their extrusion behaviour, drying and curing behaviour, buildability and final product qualities, resulting in the manufacture of several case-study prototypes as a proof of concept.