Metal 3D-Printed Structural Joint Wins Excellence Award at 36th Urban Infrastructure Technology Conference

At the 36th Urban Infrastructure Technology Conference held in November 2024, XENCE's project "Development of Metal 3D-Printed Joints for Connecting Non-Standard Timber Members" received the Excellence Award.

This development is a joint project by XENCE Inc., Shimoda Flange Co., Ltd., and Takenaka Corporation. The project developed architectural joints that enable sawmill offcuts to be used as structural members in buildings, promoting effective use of forestry resources.

XENCE was responsible for the design of the architectural joint. The joint employs topology optimization to identify the most material- and structurally-efficient geometry, and XENCE led the form-finding process for the metal 3D-printed connection as well as the final fabrication of the product.

The image shows a prototype assembled as a dome-shaped roof structure. The system is also applicable to larger structures such as event plaza canopies.

◾️ Urban Infrastructure Technology Council, 36th Technical Research Conference
https://www.uit.gr.jp/tech_research2024/presentation/program.html

◾️ Award-Winning Paper
Urban Infrastructure Technology Council, 36th Technical Research Conference