By Karen Bong
KUCHING, April 14: As with anything new, initial adoption of the latest 3D printing technology for house construction may be pricey but it is a good alternative to satisfy the housing demand in Sarawak.
This is the opinion of Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (Sheda) Kuching branch chairman Dato Sim Kiang Chiok in welcoming Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s plan to adopt 3D printing in the construction industry.
“This method is different from the conventional building or the Industrial Building System (IBS).
“3D printing for housing construction would involve an industrial size printer along with other necessary technology support and its ‘ink’ which is usually made of cement-based slurry would harden when exposed to air,” he explained when contacted by DayakDaily today.
Even though the initial development cost may be pricey as new technologies do not come cheap, Sim hopes the cost will become more reasonable when the technology is being widely used.
“The durability and quality of these 3D printed houses is good and would be acceptable by the users,” he added.
At the Sumbangsih Raya 2023 handover ceremony today, Abang Johari shared that a team from Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) had been sent to China recently to learn about the 3D printing technology for housing construction.
With the knowledge, he believes that Sarawak could adopt the technology to build houses as it is faster and more importantly, could reduce Sarawak’s reliance on foreign workers. — DayakDaily
