World’s first tower crane 3D printer can build concrete high-rises from digital plans

An Australian robotics and 3D printers company recently unveiled the world’s first tower crane 3D construction printer.

Developed by Melbourne-based Luyten, the Ascend tower crane 3D construction printer can print buildings up to 328 feet tall. The printer has a working radius of up to 148 feet.

Ascend integrates tower crane architecture with robotic concrete printing, AI, and digital construction workflows. The robotic manufacturing system can build directly from digital designs.

Ascend can be installed and commissioned within two days. The system uses Luyten’s proprietary Ultimatecrete printable concrete material that is designed for large-scale additive manufacturing.

It offers high strength, controlled flow properties, and improved layer-to-layer bonding for multi-story structures, the company says.