China's giant 3D printing city model to vie for Guinness Record

An exhibition of a 40-square-meter 3D printed model of the landscape of the southwest Chinese city Chongqing was held at a tech company based in the city on Thursday, People's Daily reports. 

The model is made up of more than 4,000 components. The creators claim that it is the world's first 3D printed city landscape, and will apply to have this feat recognized with a Guinness World Record in July.

This photo taken on Friday, June 22, 2018 shows the 40-square-meter giant 3D printed model of the landscape of the southwest Chinese city Chongqing. [Photo: People's daily]

The model, which is around 1/100th the scale of the real city, took a six-person team three months to build using 3D printing technology.

The model showcases many landmarks and popular tourist spots around Chongqing, including the Liberation Monument, Yangtze River Cableway, the city's light rail, and many of the high-rise buildings in the city that would be well-known to residents.

This photo taken on Friday, June 22, 2018 shows the 40-square-meter giant 3D printed model of the landscape of the southwest Chinese city Chongqing. [Photo: People's daily]

The model also contains a miniature vision of a 'smart city' with intelligent logistics, transportation, and city management systems.

This photo taken on Friday, June 22, 2018 shows the 40-square-meter giant 3D printed model of the landscape of the southwest Chinese city Chongqing. [Photo: People's daily]

The miniature transportation system was the toughest part to make, according to Wang Yu, one of the model's designers. He says that part alone took more than a month to finish. Model cars were 3D printed, and then hardware was installed in them that allows the cars to drive around the city and recharge themselves automatically. The miniature cars can even exchange information about their location with each other, and change their route through the mini city to avoid congestion, said Wang.

This photo taken on Friday, June 22, 2018 shows the 40-square-meter giant 3D printed model of the landscape of the southwest Chinese city Chongqing. [Photo: People's daily]

The team is working on the final part of the model – a light rail network that runs through the buildings. Their work is expected to be completed next month.