BE-AM 2025: Metal Additive Manufacturing

Smart Additive Joints: WAAM and Laser-Based Reversible Connections for Thin-Walled Steel Constructions

Published on November 13, 2025 by Arch // Struct Lab - Politecnico di Milano

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Prof Ornella Iuorio presents at the BE-AM | Built Environment Additive - Manufacturing Symposium and Exhibition at Formnext 2025 in Frankfurt, Smart Additive Joints, a novel metal additively manufactured connection designed for lightweight steel systems enabling the assembly and disassembly of cold-formed steel housing. The innovative joint, developed by Ornella Iuorio, Ehsan Bakhshivand, Alireza Bagheri and Barbara Previtali at Politecnico di Milano addresses the challenges of metal printing on very thin steel surfaces, employing Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) and Laser Metal Deposition (LMD). The exposed prototype shows a novel system that advances automation in the construction industry while responding to the principles of circular construction.

Part of our Advanced Manufacturing track.