Walmart customers in Owens Cross Roads will notice something new when they pull into the pickup zone. Earlier today, the retailer opened a
newly expanded and unique pickup area
, one created utilizing state-of-the-art 3D printing technology.
While the online order and pickup process at Walmart remains familiar to shoppers locally and nationwide, the new pickup center at this location stands out due to its modern construction methods.
“We’re able to build what I call the iPhone of construction, where we built a building in seven days, which nobody had ever done before,” said Patrick Callahan, CEO of Alquist 3D, the company behind the innovative project.
The building spans 5,000 square feet and features 16-foot-high walls constructed from 3D-printed concrete. According to officials, this technique tackles two key issues in the construction sector: expense and duration.
“We set about a 15% savings over traditional construction, as well as cut three weeks off the schedule,” explained Darin Ross, CEO of FMGI, the construction partner for the project.
Despite the groundbreaking speed and cost savings, challenges remain. “The one issue we’re having right now is the cost of materials; Still a little bit high, but volume will help with that. The partnership with Walmart is fantastic, because we see more volume of projects like this. That’s the whole start to drive the cost down,” Callahan said.
The printing material for the walls is a special concrete mix called “Sikacrete,” which incorporates recycled components and minimizes water consumption during production. As Callahan explained, “We utilized Sikacrete material here—it’s an additive concrete substance that uses recycled elements along with significantly reduced amounts of water.”
Officials say that while most projects of this nature typically take about a month to complete, the 3D printing technology used here significantly accelerated the process.
“We blew this one out of the water and just kind of proving this technology is available and works for our industry,” Ross said, noting the success of the Owens Cross Roads location.
The 3D-printed pickup hub is just the second one of its type, following the inaugural model constructed in Athens, Tennessee. With ongoing advancements in this technology, Walmart along with its collaborators intends to push for 3D printing becoming a conventional element within building processes.
