Recently, BigRep, a manufacturer of 3D printers, launched BANYAN ECO WALL for the first time. It is the first full-3D printing irrigation green wall in the world to adopt an embedded drainage system and an innovative embedded water supply and drainage system.

As the industry's first, embedded drainage system has been created in the printing process. So far, 3D printing of green walls has relied either on later integrated (metal) drainage systems or on complex settings involving many different components. These drainage systems are critical to the normal functioning of the integrated irrigation system because excess water must be removed. The prototype has unprecedented innovations in design, function, technology and size, and can only be realized by using BigRep, the world's largest serial production 3D printer (FFF).

Inspired by the multifunctional characteristics of plant systems (i.e. roots, stems and leaves), BANYAN ECO WALL acts as both a plant support structure and a water supply system. Bionic design (the total size is 2000 mm x 2000 mm x 600 mm) is not only beautiful, but also structural optimization, and plant carriers are organically stuck in place. Other irrigation systems in the world provide controlled water supply to plants at different intervals to ensure that human beings do not need to intervene in order to maintain the survival and health of crops and plants. NOWLAB's 3D printing wall follows this example by providing a miniature internal channel, using an integrated "mini shower" mechanism to provide optimal water flow, so that plants can be accurately irrigated to where they need to be.

BANYAN ECO WALL is made up of four 3D printing parts, which have changed the size, function and design of vertical farm technology. The whole structure is printed with BigRep's PETG material. The flowerpot for 3D printing is made of 3D printer.

"Our BANYAN ECO WALL adopts the principles of nature. Only AM can achieve complex, intelligent and elegant design. Traditional technologies, such as milling or injection moulding, cannot provide this complexity and dual functionality, explains Dr. Stephan Beyer, CEO of BigRep. "For the first time, thanks to AM and advanced CAD software, complex functional designs can now be created in a fully digital process chain."

Daniel Burning, general manager of BigRep CIO and NOWLAB, added: "Generating design software is critical to creating BANYAN ECO WALL, which optimizes the printability and stability of the structure, while allowing rapid iterative design processes. The prototype will not only push AM boundaries in irrigation plant systems, such as vertical agriculture and green exterior walls, but also be used for any applications requiring embedded functionality.

Drainage system is a comprehensive irrigation system with complete functions, and it is a necessary condition to remove excess water. Usually, 3D printing green walls use metal drainage systems, which are later integrated into walls, or based on complex, chaotic systems with multiple components. However, BANYAN ECO WALL's embedded drainage system is actually created in the process of 3D printing, which is the first time in the industry and has far-reaching significance.

Source from: https://creality3dpro.store/