FAQ

Find answers to your most frequently asked questions

Machines

What is the delivery time for a 3D printer?

Depends on machine and destination. Typically 8–12 weeks after order confirmation and payment. This includes preparation, factory testing, and shipping.

What are the shipping costs for a 3D printer?

Not included in the listed price. Costs depend on transport method (air, sea, road), destination country, and customs. We can provide a shipping quote.

What is included in the price of a MaxiPrinter?

The standard kit includes: the complete machine, mortar pump and silo, all required accessories, control software, initial training, and a 2-year warranty. Options (6T silo, spare parts pack, spare print head, premium service pack, etc.) can be added.

What is the difference between MiniPrinter PRO and MiniPrinter PRO XL?

The XL version has twice the print volume of the standard while keeping the same specs. It allows printing larger parts and features multi-print, increasing productivity by alternating between two zones.

What safety systems are integrated into your printers?

The MaxiPrinter and pumping system include active and passive safety devices: - 5 emergency stops (including 1 on the HMI). - 3 remote stop buttons with carabiners for operators. - Sensors trigger automatic stops if risks arise. Example: if material pressure exceeds 40 bar, printing halts automatically to prevent hose rupture.

Are there technical limits to the MaxiPrinter?

No strict limits in print surface or duration: it can run continuously as long as material is supplied. It can also be moved to print other parts or floors. The only constraints are max linear length (~12m) and non-printable components (roof, windows, etc.).

Which 3D printer should I choose for my project?

MaxiPrinter suits full-scale projects (houses, buildings, infrastructure). MiniPrinter PRO is ideal for research, training, and prototypes. Choice depends on goals: full houses, educational, or demo projects.

How do you maintain a 3D printer and how often?

A maintenance manual is provided. Tasks include daily pump/nozzle cleaning, weekly mechanical checks, and major servicing every 6–12 months. Preventive maintenance packs are available.

What is the required training time?

MaxiPrinter: 2 weeks total (1 week at La Citadelle Des Savoir Faire in France, 1 week advanced on-site). MiniPrinter: 2–3 days. Both include 3D modeling, file prep, setup, printing, maintenance, and safety. Teams can print independently after training.

How long to reposition the MaxiPrinter?

Repositioning between print zones takes 1–3 hours depending on site complexity. Managed via the provided software.

What is the speed and productivity of a 3D printer?

MaxiPrinter: up to 250 mm/s (~14 m² of single wall per hour). MiniPrinter: up to 400 mm/s for small parts. On-site, a medium house can be printed in a few days.

What precision do your printers achieve?

MiniPrinters are accurate to the millimeter. MaxiPrinter has ~2 cm precision across its print area, with millimetric repeatability.

What is the lifespan of a 3D construction printer?

Depends on use and maintenance. With proper care, a MaxiPrinter has no strict limit and can last many years. Wear parts are replaceable, and we provide long-term support.

What is the energy consumption of a 3D printer?

Low. MaxiPrinter consumes ~5kW, mortar pump with silo ~10kW. We recommend a generator >20 kVA if used off-grid.

Material

What material is used to print a house in 3D?

Mainly specially formulated mortars: pumpable, extrudable, quick-setting. Fibered or not, adaptable to local resources via custom formulations. Our Termix-3D 'Albert' material is produced in our plant in northern France. There are multiple suppliers of 3D mortar worldwide including Sika with 733 and 751.

What materials are compatible with 3D printing?

Printers accept many materials: special mortars, micro-concretes, fibered concretes, local formulations. Both MaxiPrinter and MiniPrinter handle aggregates up to 10 mm.

What is the cost of 3D printing materials?

Depends on performance and additives. Standard mixes are cheaper than fibered or ultra-high-performance ones. Additives (accelerators, superplasticizers) vary in cost share.

What is the carbon footprint of a 3D-printed house?

Varies by formulation. Traditional concretes are clinker-rich, while our mixes use low-carbon binders. An Environmental and Health Declaration Sheet (FDES) must still be made for precise evaluation.

What is the setting time of 3D printing concrete?

Fresh structuring occurs within minutes for layer stacking. Initial set: ~1 hour. Strength gain continues for 28 days. Times vary with composition, humidity, temperature.

What is the impact of humidity and temperature?

Low humidity can cause fast surface drying and cracks. High heat may accelerate setting or cause cracking. We recommend following supplier guidelines. For Termix-3D 'Albert', use in 5–25°C and 50–90% RH.

What is the durability of 3D-printed concrete?

Like traditional concretes, it lasts decades. Durability depends on formulation (fibers, additives, binders) and proper application.

What materials has Constructions-3D developed?

We develop specific printable mortars adapted to local conditions and project needs, combining pumpability, fast setting, strength, and durability.

Can local materials be used to print a house?

Yes. We help clients formulate mixes with local sand, cement, aggregates. This reduces costs, carbon footprint, and simplifies supply.

What services does Constructions-3D provide for material support?

We provide full assistance: formulation help, compatibility tests, and on-site technical follow-up to ensure materials meet performance and local constraints.

Financement

Do you offer rental machines and cost?

Financing options may be possible via partners. Contact us for details.

Do you provide financing or credit options?

We don’t directly provide financing. However, partners can help depending on your country. Contact us for details.

Process

How does the 3D house printing process work?

3D construction printing consists of extruding a special mortar layer by layer using a large robotic arm that precisely positions a nozzle in space. The 3D printing mortar, a fast-setting mortar, is mixed with water on-site and pumped through a concrete hose to the nozzle. Here are the main steps: - Digital design: the building or element is modeled in 3D (CAD files exported in .STL, .DXF, etc.). - Slicing: dedicated software converts the model into print paths. - Material preparation: a specially formulated, pumpable, fast-setting mortar or micro-concrete is prepared in a silo/pump. - Printing: the machine deposits successive beads of material that solidify quickly, allowing layers to stack without formwork. - Finishes and integrations: technical ducts, insulation, or lintels can be inserted during printing. Finishes (plaster, paint…) are then applied as in traditional construction. Main benefits are significant time savings, reduced labor, unprecedented architectural freedom, and less material thanks to precise deposition.

Does 3D concrete printing really save materials?

Yes. 3D construction printing reduces up to 40% of concrete compared to traditional construction, as material is deposited only where needed. It also generates very little waste.

Is 3D concrete printing a low-carbon solution?

Yes, because it optimizes material consumption and allows the use of alternative low-carbon binders, as demonstrated with our Termix-3D material. The process is also compatible with local formulations, reducing transport and thus the overall carbon footprint of a 3D-printed house.

What are the impacts of 3D printing on bricklayers’ jobs?

3D printing reduces the physical strain of masonry work and makes the profession more attractive to younger generations. It revitalizes a traditionally tough job through construction robotics.

What added value compared to traditional construction methods?

3D concrete printing provides speed, cost reduction, architectural flexibility, less waste, and the ability to build in challenging environments. It complements existing methods and enables innovative projects. In the short term, our goal is to make 3D printing more affordable than traditional construction.

What flexibility is there in the thickness of 3D-printed walls?

Printed layer width generally varies from 4 to 10 cm depending on the nozzle used. This allows single, double, or hollow walls, adapted to structural, thermal, and aesthetic needs.

What software is used to prepare 3D printing files?

In addition to the printers, Constructions-3D develops and provides software that generates G-code from various file formats: STL, OBJ, DXF, and 3D DXF. These formats make Constructions-3D solutions compatible with all CAD software on the market (AutoCAD, Fusion 360, Solidworks, OnShape, etc.).

Can a traditional plan be converted into a 3D printable file?

Yes. Our software can convert a 2D plan into a printable model for the MaxiPrinter. The original plan often needs to be simplified by removing doors, annotations, etc., then converted to .DXF format before importing. These aspects are covered during training on our machines.

How long does it take to move and install a 3D concrete printer on-site?

Installing a MaxiPrinter takes 15 to 30 minutes. Including repositioning the file relative to the site, the total time from arrival to the start of printing is usually under 2 hours.

What logistics and staff are needed on a 3D printing site?

Using the MaxiPrinter requires only 2 operators on-site at all times during printing. For logistics, the machine and accessories (excluding material) are transported in the provided container. Material is delivered by truck, each carrying 20–25 tons.

What floor space is required for installing the MaxiPrinter?

The MiniPrinter PRO can operate in a space as small as a 20ft container (6m x 2.5m). The MaxiPrinter requires about 20 m² and can print within a radius of ~7m. For indoor printing, a ceiling height of at least 6m is recommended.

What are the ground requirements before installing the MaxiPrinter?

The ground must be stable and level to support the gantry. Uneven terrain may need prior preparation (slab or compaction) to ensure precision and safety.

How are windows and doors integrated in a 3D-printed house?

Openings are modeled in the plan. The machine can be programmed to pause before the top of an opening so a lintel can be installed. Windows and doors are then fitted traditionally by carpenters.

Is it possible to print multi-story buildings?

Yes. A MaxiPrinter can print up to ~6m high. In theory, there’s no height limit since the printer can be lifted to the next floor once the slab is cast. This method was used for 'La Tour', the world’s tallest 3D-printed building (R+2, 14.14m high) built at La Citadelle Des Savoir Faire in France.

Applications

Which parts of a building can be 3D-printed with the MaxiPrinter?

Currently mainly vertical walls (external or partitions). Roofs, windows, utilities, and finishes are added traditionally. This complementarity ensures durability and compliance.

What types of buildings can be made with 3D printing?

The technology allows diverse projects: houses, apartments, public buildings, temporary shelters, protective walls, even reefs. It adapts to both urban and remote contexts.

What are the advantages of a 3D-printed house?

It consumes less material (up to 40% less concrete), produces little waste, and builds much faster. Greater architectural freedom allows innovative designs. It also reduces carbon footprint through adapted formulations.

How long does it take to print a house?

Depending on size/complexity, walls can be printed in a few days vs weeks traditionally. Example: a 50 m² house per day with 1 MaxiPrinter. Other trades (roof, electricity, plumbing) still needed.

What materials are used for 3D construction printing?

Printers use specially designed mortars or concretes that are pumpable and extrudable. They include low-carbon binders and local raw materials. Fibers and additives improve strength. Grain size: 1–10 mm.

Can local materials be used for 3D printing?

Yes. We assist clients in developing local formulations (sand, aggregates, binders). This lowers logistics costs and meets standards. Many projects already use local mixes.

What are the costs of a 3D-printed house?

Depends on size, country, materials, labor. Printing reduces material, logistics, and specialized labor costs. Costs per m² vary but are competitive for large projects. Example: printing external walls with Termix-3D → Cost (€) = 3200*√(floor area). Insulation integration reduces second-fix costs.

What are the current limits of 3D construction printing?

Focus is still on walls. Utilities, windows, and roofs are added later. Long-term durability feedback is limited but promising. Regulations require case-by-case validation.

Can multi-story houses be printed?

Yes. MaxiPrinter prints >6m and can be repositioned floor by floor. A 14.14m building ('La Tour') was printed at La Citadelle Des Savoir Faire. Multi-story is feasible.

Is 3D printing suitable for difficult environments?

Yes. MaxiPrinter is mobile and transportable, suitable for remote or constrained sites. No concrete slab required, fits in a 20ft container.

Can the architecture of a 3D-printed house be customized?

Yes. 3D printing allows curves, variable thickness, integration of elements. It adapts to local constraints and modern expectations.

What projects have already been completed with your printers?

Our printers have built many structures, some showcased on the Constructions-3D website, showing the diversity of applications.

How are doors, windows, and utilities integrated?

Reservations are modeled in 3D. After printing, trades install components as in traditional construction. This hybrid method ensures compatibility with standards.

Is 3D printing compliant with building codes?

3D-printed walls are non-load bearing per regulations. Buildings must comply with local standards (DTU, Eurocodes, seismic/thermal). Compliance is achieved by filling walls with concrete like traditional shear walls. We assist clients in validation with authorities.

What services does Constructions-3D provide with 3D house printers?

We provide machines, team training, material formulation support, and technical assistance on-site or remotely. This ensures project success from design to delivery.

Service

What are the maintenance and servicing costs of a 3D printer?

Depends on usage. Estimated total maintenance cost is about €20 per hour of operation. Spare part packs are available to simplify the process.

What services does Constructions-3D provide with its printers?

We provide full support: training (on-site and at our facility), assistance with material formulation, remote and on-site technical support, plus premium maintenance service.

Are there additional fees or subscriptions?

No mandatory subscription. Optional costs include preventive maintenance, advanced training, wear-part packs, or project support.

What warranty is included with your printers?

All machines come with a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty covering parts and labor, excluding transport and travel expenses if on-site intervention is required.

How does Constructions-3D customer support work?

Support is available 7/7, remotely (video, remote access) and on-site if needed. After-sales includes diagnostics, part replacement, and user assistance.

How can I attend a 3D concrete printing demo?

We offer 'Demo Training' on MiniPrinter PRO or MaxiPrinter, where you can learn modeling, operate the machines, and print your creation. Details are available on the Constructions-3D website.

Do you offer 3D printing training and in what forms?

Yes, multiple programs by knowledge level: - Demo Training for clients without systems who want an introduction. - Initial training at La Citadelle Des Savoir Faire (France), covering all basics for use after purchase. - Advanced training (MaxiPrinter only) to become an expert in system operation and file preparation.

Do you assist clients with their first project?

Yes, we support clients from purchase through their first project. Premium support packs are available, including project team assistance and 24/7 technical help, ensuring project success from the start.

Do you provide support for regulations and building codes?

Constructions-3D provides general support, but a local structural engineer is required to ensure compliance.