At an Appropriations hearing, U.S. Senator Susan Collins highlighted how the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) is paving the way for 3D printing applications over a wide range of industries. Read Senator Collins’ press release here.
“The University of Maine has one of the largest, if not the largest 3D printer, and has printed everything from a boat to a home,” said Senator Collins.
At a Strategic Forces Subcommittee, the chairman, Senator Angus King spoke in support for the utilization of 3D printing technology by the Department of Defense (DoD) due to its cost-effectiveness and flexibility. Read Senator King’s press release here.
“I appreciate that and I can’t resist mentioning that the University of Maine has the largest 3D printer in the world, and last year they printed a house. So, it’s an amazing technology that I think is going to change everything,” said Senator King.
Already holding the Guinness World Record for the largest polymer 3D printer, the ASCC unveiled a new 3D printer on April 23rd, 2024, named the Factory of the Future 1.0 (FoF 1.0). The Factory of the Future 1.0 is four times larger than the Ingersoll Masterprint, the University’s printer that holds the world record.
Factory of the Future 1.0., unveiled on 4/23/24.
The University of Maine garnered attention in 2022 for 3D-printing the world’s first 100% Bio-Based 3D-printed house, BioHome3D. Printed on the Ingersoll Masterprint, this house is the legal definition of affordable housing here in Maine: 600 square feet, 1 bedroom, and 1 bathroom. With the Factory of the Future 1.0, 3D-printing houses will be less expensive and quicker.
Read more about large-scale and bio-based additive manufacturing research here.
Interested in seeing the world’s largest 3D-printed house? Learn more here.
