World's first 3D printed steel bridge

The first ever 3D printed steel bridge opens in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. It was created by a robotic arm using welding torches to layer the structure of the bridge and made from 4,500 kg of stainless steel.

The 12-meter long MX3D bridge was built by four commercially available industrial robots and took six months to print. Last week, the structure was moved to its location above the Audezijds Achterburgwal canal in the center of Amsterdam and is now open to pedestrians and cyclists.

Over a dozen sensors attached to the bridge after printing is complete will track deformation, movement, vibration and temperature throughout the structure as people walk over it and weather conditions change. This data will be entered into the digital model of the bridge.

Engineers will use this model to study the properties of a unique material and will use machine learning to identify any trends in the data that might indicate a need for maintenance or modification. They also hope it will help designers understand how 3D printed steel can be used for larger, more complex construction projects.