The largest 3D printer in the world at the University of Maine can print objects measuring 29 x 10 x 5.5 meters, reducing construction time and labor costs.
The machine, unveiled on April 23 at the University of Maine, is four times larger than the first version that operated nearly five years ago. It can print larger objects, including enhancing the scale of 3D printing technology for homes, using bio-based materials to demonstrate that such housing can provide affordable solutions to homelessness in the region, Phys.org reported on April 23.
3D printer located at the University of Maine. (Photo: Phys.org)
The 3D printer called “Future Factory 1.0” extrudes thermoplastic. After the University of Maine breaks ground for a new building this summer, it is possible that even larger printers will be developed. This giant 3D printer opens up many new research potentials to combine automated large-scale coordination with sensors, high-performance computing, and artificial intelligence, according to Habib Dagher, director of the Advanced Structures and Composites Center at the University of Maine, which houses both versions of the printer.
The printer’s frame occupies nearly the entire space in the building on the University of Maine campus and can print objects measuring 29 x 10 x 5.5 meters. The machine consumes about 227 kg of material per hour. The original version, introduced in 2019, was certified by the Guinness World Records as the largest polymer 3D printer in the world. This version, named “BioHome3D”, was used to create a family home measuring 55.7 m² from wood fibers and recyclable bio-plastic materials.
To meet the growing housing demand, the state of Maine will need an additional 80,000 homes in the next six years, according to MaineHousing. Dagher noted that affordable housing and construction labor are both in short supply. The university aims to demonstrate that housing can be constructed almost entirely by 3D printing with low carbon emissions. Buildings and the construction industry account for approximately 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to the production and use of materials such as cement, steel, and aluminum, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. “3D-printed buildings can be recycled, which is a unique point compared to current construction methods. You can dismantle, crush if you want, and then reprint,” Dagher explained.
Researchers are planning to upgrade the materials that the machine uses, including incorporating more bio-based components from the abundant wood scraps in Maine. In addition to construction, the machine can produce a variety of products ranging from boats to protective structures. The two printer versions can work together to produce seamlessly within the same project.
