The world's largest 3D printer is at a university in Maine. It just unveiled an even bigger one
The university that boasts the world’s largest 3D printer developed one even bigger
ORONO, Maine — The world’s largest 3D printer has created a house that can cut construction time and labor. An even larger printer unveiled on Tuesday may one day create entire neighborhoods.
The machine revealed Tuesday at the University of Maine is four times larger than the first one — commissioned less than five years ago — and capable of printing ever mightier objects. That includes scaling up its 3D-printed home technology using bio-based materials to eventually demonstrate how printed neighborhoods can offer an avenue to affordable housing to address homelessness in the region.
Thermoplastic polymers are extruded from a printer dubbed the “Factory of the Future 1.0," said Habib Dagher, director of UMaine’s Advanced Structures & Composite Center, where both of the current printers are located. It combines robotics operations with new sensors, high-performance computing and artificial intelligence, Dagher said.
And there could be even larger printers in the future after the University of Maine breaks ground this summer on a new building.
“We’re learning from this to design the next one,” he said.
Those attending the event included representatives from departments of defense, energy and housing, as well as other stakeholders who plan to utilize the new technologies made available by the printer. Heidi Shyu, undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, said the printer exceeded her expectations and «stands as a beacon of innovation.»
Shrouded by a black curtain, the printer was on and whirring behind the speakers during the event. At the end, the curtain opened revealing the printer was working on a test project for a
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