Here is the largest 3D printer in the world

Here is the largest 3D printer in the world

The University of Maine has unveiled the world's largest 3D polymer printer, capable of printing 30-meter-long objects. An 8-meter boat was printed in less than 3 days, the largest object printed in 3D.

The University of Maine recorded three world records simultaneously on October 10: the largest 3D printed object, the largest 3D printed boat and the largest 3D polymer printer. The latter is capable of printing objects 30 meters long by 7 meters wide and 3 meters high, at a speed of 227 kg per hour. As a demonstration, a boat 7.62 meters long was created in less than 72 hours in September.

The largest 3D printed boat in the world, more than 7 meters long and 2.3 tons was manufactured in less than 72 hours by the UMaine Composites Center's gigantic 3D printer. © UMaine Composites Center

Build boats, emergency shelters and bridges in a few days

The university aims for many opportunities. A collaboration with the shipbuilding industry has already been signed, to increase the competitiveness of the industry with cheaper boats and built much faster. The 3D printer can also be used to build rapidly deployable military or civilian shelters in emergencies or natural disasters, or to produce concrete forms in the shortest time possible. "It's an ideal solution for building fast deployable infrastructure with low logistical capacity," say the Composites Center engineers. In the summer of 2020, a 23-meter bridge beam in Hampden, Maine, will be manufactured using this type of giant mold.

A cellulose-based biomaterial

For several years, the university has worked in collaboration with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to develop biomaterials compatible with additive technology. She designed a composite material based on cellulose nanofibers embedded in thermoplastics. This gives a biosourced material that is very light, rigid and recyclable, transformable into a filament for 3D printing. "Nanocellulose is stronger than steel and stiffer than Kevlar," says Moe Khaleel, associate director of the Oak Ridge Energy and Environmental Science Lab at MaineBiz. The "green" formulation reduces costs by 50% and carbon footprint by 90%. The goal is to make objects with 50% wood while having properties identical to those of metals.

A new outlet for the forest industry

In addition to its interest in the industry, the use of cellulose nanofibers in 3D printing represents a new outlet for the forest industry. "Maine is the most wooded state in the country, and this 3D printer will allow us to use this abundant resource on a large scale," said Senator Angus King. Formerly reserved for plastic, 3D printing is today compatible with hundreds of materials: PVA, nylon, silicone, composite polymers, metal, graphene, molten glass, carbon fiber, conductive fibers and of course, concrete for buildings. Without forgetting the bio-print or the pizzas and the chocolate!