Black Buffalo 3D Global Industry First: Internationally Coded Solution for 3D Construction Printing

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Oct 11, 2022, 08:53 ET

Official AC509 certification by the International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) makes Black Buffalo 3D's NEXCON printer and Planitop^™ 3D ink the first AC509 coded structural 3D construction solution in the world.

EAST STROUDSBURG, Penn., Oct. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Black Buffalo 3D Corporation, a leading provider of large-scale 3D printers for construction, today announced that its NEXCON printers and proprietary 3D concrete ink mix—sold through its partner MAPEI Corporation as Planitop^TM 3D in North America—have been approved by the ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES), meeting AC509 requirements for 3D printed bearing, nonbearing, and shear walls up to 40' height. Evaluation reports from ICC-ES are the most-preferred resource used by officials internationally to verify that new and innovative building products comply with code requirements. The ICC-ES certifies that Black Buffalo 3D construction technology meets the requirements of AC509, "3D Automated Construction Technology for 3D Concrete Walls" and has issued ESR-4623, available upon request at www.bb3d.io/contact. Black Buffalo 3D provides the only complete 3D construction printing solution in the world to meet internationally recognized building code.

Freshly 3D printed wall samples being examined at Black Buffalo 3D facility prior to transport to Intertek Lab plc for further testing and analysis.

Black Buffalo 3D printed walls being tested as part of the process to confirm strength and durability. These structural walls were printed with a NEXCON printer and Planitop 3D ink.

Materials matter and Black Buffalo 3D's proprietary—Planitop^TM 3D—construction ink was specially developed through years of research, testing, and evaluation by independent and in-house material scientists at Black Buffalo 3D Corporation, its partner MAPEI Corporation—a leading construction materials provider for the building industry—and various 3rd party labs including Intertek Group plc, a 130-year-old global assurance, testing, inspection, and certification supplier.

"Black Buffalo 3D's goal has always been to make 3D construction printing a coded alternative to traditional construction," said Black Buffalo 3D Founder and Interim CEO, Derek Chung. "Our AC509 certification is the result of years of hard work and dedication, and marks a milestone not just for us, but for the whole 3D construction printing industry recognizing Black Buffalo 3D clients can print structures that are equivalent to CMU block."

Fine-tuning the BB3D AC509 Concrete Mix—sold as Planitop^TM 3D in North America—and BB3D's NEXCON printers for the 3D construction industry was no small feat. The AC509 certification represents the final step in the lengthy approval process; milestones already achieved include several 16+ hour print sessions on NEXCON™ printers by the Black Buffalo 3D team, the need for Intertek to purchase a stronger machine to test the walls, and tons of hard work from all parties involved. The verification process included testing of the material, machine, and printed walls to verify that each component and final product could meet AC509 criteria at every stage of the 3D printing process.

"Planitop™ 3D will unlock the true potential of 3D construction printing by providing contractors and builders with internationally accepted certification that their projects will be strong and durable," added Luigi Di Geso, President and CEO of MAPEI Corporation. "And the resulting structures will be built quickly and at a fraction of the cost of traditional construction, which means that affordable housing can be within reach for more people."

3D construction printers are poised to improve the way the world approaches challenges related to attainable housing, industrial buildings, emergency shelters, and resilient infrastructure. Additive manufacturing offers a faster, more efficient approach to residential, commercial, and custom construction. On-demand and on-site 3D printing is now a legitimate coded technology. Additional details can be found in ESR-4623 available through request at www.bb3d.io and through ICC-ES. Planitop^TM 3D is now available for sale directly through MAPEI for all 3D construction printers.

About Black Buffalo 3D Corporation

Black Buffalo 3D Corporation (https://www.bb3d.io) is the PA based subsidiary of Big Sun Holdings Group, Inc.—with locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Black Buffalo 3D is poised to revolutionize construction and become the leading global provider of 3D construction printers (3DCP), proprietary construction "ink" (Planitop^TM 3D), and 3D print construction consulting services. NEXCON printers are now available globally. Print smart and sustainable infrastructure on-demand with Black Buffalo 3D NEXCON printers.

About MAPEI Corporation

With over 84 associated manufacturing plants in 35 countries, serving 66,000+ customers worldwide, MAPEI is the world leader in the manufacturer of adhesives, sealants, concrete additives, including admixtures and repair products, as well as other chemical products for construction. For more information, visit www.mapei.com or call 1-800-42-MAPEI (1-800-426-2734).

Media contact:
Peter Cooperman, Interim CMO
[email protected]
(646) 612-7593

SOURCE Black Buffalo 3D Corporation