ASCC Technology Earns Patent for Advanced Multi-Axis 3D Printing Technology

Technology from the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) has been awarded a patent for advanced 3D printing system that expands how large and complex components can be manufactured. The patented technology was developed by researchers James Anderson and Matt Ireland and introduces a novel approach to additive manufacturing that overcomes long-standing limitations of conventional 3D printers.

Traditional 3D printers build parts in flat, horizontal layers, which limits part size, increases print time, and often requires extra material to support the structure in printing. Patent No. US 12,502,824 B2 describes a system enabling material to be deposited at variable angles by rotating the printer’s extruder during printing. This reduces the need for support material, improves structural performance and allows parts to be printed beyond the physical size of the printer as continuous components. 

The patented technology has applications across industries requiring high-performance parts and reflects the ASCC’s leadership in advancing scalable manufacturing technologies.