I decided to analyze what developments and achievements in this area are on the world market and how this technology is being introduced into the business segment.  And I made certain conclusions for myself, which I will try to summarize. 

In fact, when it comes to concrete 3D printing, my opinion is mixed. I will try to explain why:

Concrete 3D printing technology.

3D printing with concrete is a semi-finished product. Not because 3D printing with concrete needs additional post-processing (Any production technology in most cases does not give the final result, be it a milling machine, casting, etc. It is always required to bring the product to the customer's requirements), but because the process of 3D printing with concrete has so many crutches and sores that it becomes very difficult to call this process 3D printing.

Administrative building. Construction. Dubai. It was built by a Russian guy. Read more here.

Of all the solutions on the market that I have been able to find, the process of printing with concrete is a layer-by-layer application of concrete, which is essentially a repetition of the well-known FDM technology.

Concrete 3D printing technology. How does this happen. 

But it was not there. Unlike traditional filament printing, concrete does not use supporting structures during model growth. Instead, workers have to fence in supports made of wood, plastic, polystyrene and just improvised means. Although this approach is characterized not by technology, but by materials.

Administrative building. Construction. Dubai.

Concrete supporting structures are not easy to break if present. However, this is not an excuse. Should I buy an industrial construction 3D printer, and the workers still have to run around and build something there? Only now, not a formwork for pouring concrete, but supporting structures for a 3D printer. So we still need to teach the workers what supporting structures are. But even if I print in segments, then for the assembly of a solid structure, I already need several cranes and more qualified personnel of "sopromatchik" so that all this does not collapse to hell. 

3D printed bridge. China. 

Money.

However, despite all the difficulties and disadvantages of the technology, the main advantage of using such technologies in 2020 is the presence of our own, already established, construction company. The use of 3D printing technologies will, in fact, be the hallmark of the company.

3D printed headquarters of Dubai Future Foundation. Dubai. 

And even if not a solution to production issues, but an excellent publicity stunt. In fact, there are not even input attachments here. Investments in advertising, if you can justify this expenditure part. 

Conclusion:

If you open a 3D printing business in 2020, it will only be in the concrete segment. The rest of the segments are already simply occupied and have already been studied in depth. Building houses on a 3D printer is a tempting and profitable business. But! This area seemed to me irrelevant for this year from the point of view of starting a business and for such established centers of additive technologies as Studia3D in terms of expansion. But…

The world's first 3D printed concrete castle. Minnesota. 

It would be another matter if I were a builder. Ah ... If I were a builder =))) Because the use of these technologies will allow attracting not only the best designers of our time and out-of-the-box architects, but also new clients with a completely different pricing policy. 

Ideal for concrete 3D printing. Not the future, but a good advertising campaign!

PS If you decide, write. We will always find the best solution on the market for you, test and integrate the latest technologies and advances in 3D printing into your business chain.