The world's largest 3D printer just printed a 25-foot, 5,000-pound boat, which is the largest object printed to date.
The feat by the Center for Advanced Structures and Composites at the University of Maine captured no less than three Guinness Records for the world's largest prototype polymer 3D printer, as well as the largest 3D-printed solid object and the largest ship ever produced. . by a 3D printer.
Take a look at the printing process in the video below - it is a truly remarkable achievement by UMaine employees.
The 3D printer is capable of printing objects up to 100 feet, 22 feet wide, and 10 feet high. And forget the pages per minute, this thing can print up to 500 pounds of solid objects per hour.
The ship, however, took 72 hours to produce.
Abundant boat building
The general idea is to commercialize this type of 3D printing on a large scale to the benefit of boat builders, using 3D printing plastics containing 50% wood for a competitive advantage.
Senator Angus King commented: "Maine is the most forested state in the country and we now have a 3D printer large enough to use this abundant resource. Today is the latest innovative investment in Maine's forest economy that will serve to increase sustainability. , advance the organic-based manufacturing sector, and diversify our forest products industry.
Additionally, UMaine is partnering with Oak Ridge National Laboratory on a € 20 million research collaboration to produce new biomaterial-based materials for 3D printing of large objects.
Via Maine Public