The Department of Science and Innovation embarked on a program for the piloting and demonstration of 3D printing additive technologies for sustainable human settlements in South Africa. The department understands 3D printing as a transformative technology that has the potential to revolutionize housing delivery in the country.

As a result of its cost-saving and fast method of construction, the Department of Science and Innovation of the Republic of South Africa through the university of Johannesburg embarked on a pilot project to purchase the 3D printer for sustainable human settlements development. They recently just launched the construction printing machine.

3D printing is the construction of a three-dimensional object from a CAD model or a digital 3D model. There are a variety of processes that can be done; the material is deposited, joined, or solidified under computer control, with materials like plastics, liquids, or powder grains being added together typically layer by layer.

The key advantage of 3D printing is the ability to produce very complex shapes or geometries that would be otherwise impossible to construct by hand, especially hollow parts. They allow for flexible designs, they print on demand and they most especially produce fast designs and productions. They are also cost-effective and minimize waste.