The world’s largest 3D printer

The machine introduced on April 23 at the University of Maine is four times larger than the first version in operation nearly five years ago and can print larger objects, including increasing the scale of home 3D printing technology, using uses biological materials to demonstrate that these types of neighborhoods can provide affordable housing, solving the problem of homelessness in the region, Phys.org reported on April 23.

The 3D printer called “Future Factory 1.0” spits out thermoplastics. After the University of Maine breaks ground on a new building this summer, even larger printers may be coming. The giant 3D printer opens up new research potential for combining large-scale automated coordination with sensors, high-performance computing and artificial intelligence, according to Habib Dagher, director of the Center for Structural Engineering. Advanced architecture and composites University of Maine, where both versions of the printer are located.

The printer’s chassis takes up most of the space in the building at the University of Maine campus, and can print objects measuring 29 x 10 x 5.5 m. The machine consumes about 227 kg of material per hour. The initial version launched in 2019 was certified by the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest polymer 3D printer. This version named “BioHome3D” was used to create a 55.7 m2, single-family home from wood fiber and recyclable bioplastic materials.

To meet rising housing demand, Maine will need 80,000 more homes in the next six years, according to MaineHousing. Dagher said both affordable housing and housing construction workers are in short supply. The university wants to demonstrate that housing can be built almost entirely using printers with a low carbon footprint. Buildings and the construction industry account for about 37% of global greenhouse gases, mainly due to the production and use of materials such as cement, steel and aluminum, according to the United Nations Environment Program. “3D printed buildings are recyclable, which is unique compared to current construction methods. You can demolish them, grind them down if you want, then reprint them,” Dagher explains.

Researchers are planning to upgrade the materials the machine uses, including using more biological ingredients from Maine’s abundant wood chips. In addition to construction, the machine can create a variety of products from boats to security structures. The two printer versions can be combined for seamless production on the same project.