RIC Technology, a 3D construction printing technology developer, has unveiled its largest and most advanced 3D printer – RIC-PRIMUS – at this year’s World of Concrete (WOC) event. This new system can print three-story structures up to 32 feet tall – surpassing the capabilities of the earlier RIC-M1 PRO.
Building on a remarkable 2024 achievement where an earlier RIC printer, operated by Alquist 3D, completed an 8,000-square-foot, 20-foot-tall Walmart extension – the largest commercial 3D printed structure by volume in the United States so far – RIC-PRIMUS incorporates major advancements aimed at meeting the increasing need for faster, more cost-effective, and sustainable construction solutions.
Manufacturing on Demand
It offers a maximum printing height of 32 feet, a length of 85.4 feet, and a width of 36.1 feet – nearly doubling the dimensions of its predecessor and allowing for the construction of three-story residential and commercial wall systems. The robot’s enhanced mobility and speed, combined with its compact, modular design and reduced labor requirements (from three operators to two), make the construction process more efficient and cost-effective. Its advanced automation also allows a printing speed of 200mm/s and eight degrees of motion freedom – enabling it to navigate around rebars and existing walls.
The new system incorporates an integrated self-loading ⅜ aggregate mixer pump that can be adapted to most standard mixer pumps in the industry – ensuring compatibility with both concrete and mortar from various providers. This material flexibility allows the construction of large-scale, durable builds while retaining the precision needed for smaller, more detailed projects. A real-time material quality control system minimizes human error, improves printing accuracy, and guarantees consistent structural integrity.
“RIC-PRIMUS is a monumental step forward for the 3D construction industry toward real commercialization,” said Ziyou Xu, Founder of RIC Technology and Chief Architect of the Robotic Construction Program. “Its expanded printing capacity makes it possible to build larger-scale construction faster and cheaper, unlocking new possibilities for 3D printing in both residential and commercial projects.”
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Author: Edward Wakefield
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