The Advanced Structures & Composites Center is at the vanguard of large-scale Additive Manufacturing (AM). We’re not just exploring the potential of 3D printing; we’re redefining it. Through groundbreaking research and development, we’ve pioneered innovations that are transforming industries. Leveraging the deep expertise of the University of Maine, we accelerate the journey from concept to commercialization, driving sustainable manufacturing and strengthening American competitiveness. Join us in shaping the future of large-scale AM.
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
FACILITIES + CAPABILITIES
We are dedicated to leading the forefront of Large-scale Additive Manufacturing. The ASCC has made breakthrough innovations to the field and with university expertise, we can bring promising concepts to market quickly and drive US manufacturing to a sustainable future.
CAPABILITIES
Small and Large-scale Additive Manufacturing
Scale Model Fabrication
Finite Element Analysis
Hybridized Advanced Additive Manufacturing (HAAM)
Instrumentation & Data Collection
Material Qualification and Calibration
Scale Model Fabrication
Digital Manufacturing
Process Control & Robustness
Predictive Modeling & Simulation
EQUIPMENT
Ingersoll – MasterPrint 3x
Custom Ingersoll MasterPrint 3x
Fused Granular Fabrication
Up to 150lb (86kg) per hour throughout
Integrated CNC 5-axis machine for subtractive manufacturing methods including cutting, surface finishing, and part geometry finishing
Expansions of the MasterPrint include upgrading the maximum print throughput to more than 500 lb (227 kg) per hour, continuous fiber layup head, and adding foaming material capacity
Fortus 900mc 3D Production System — Stratasys
Fused filament fabrication (FFF)
Produces repeatable parts up 914 mm x 610 mm x 914 mm (36 in x 24 in x 36 in)
16 compatible printer materials
Carbon, glass, bio fiber filled materials, ULTEM, and PEEK
MT Connect software – capable of digital twin creation and documentation of all prints through in-situ real-time data collection and processing.
Juggerbot3D – Tradesman Series P3-44
Fused Granular Fabrication
The print volume is 46 in long by 35 in wide by 37 in tall
Strangpresse Model 19 Upgrade
Heated and vacuum table up to 115°C
Heated enclosure up to 100°C
Able to print commodity, flexible, engineering-grade, high-temperature, and high-fill thermoplastics
Cincinnati – BAAM 100 – Alpha Size 2
The BAAM (Big Area Additive Manufacturing) manufactures durable tooling, prototype or production parts from fiber-reinforced plastic.
The print volume is 140” long by 65” wide by 72” tall
Capacity to print up to 80lbs per hour
Utilizes laser platform, including machine frame, motion system, and control that has been adapted with an extruder and feeding system.
Fused Granular Fabrication
Heated and vacuum print table, pellet extruder, and the Alpha 2’s use of material extrusion 3D printing technology.
Modix BIG – 120x V3
Print Volume: 1,200 mm x 600 mm x 640 mm (47 in x 23.6 in x 25 in)
Print volume: 580 mm x 600 mm x 470 mm (22.8 in x 23.6 in x 18.5 in)
Used to develop custom bio-based or recycled materials-based on a pellet or flake feed system that simulates that use on our large-scale 3D printer
Able to prototype scaled versions of large-scale geometries and final parts at smaller scales
Can print with 3-5 mm plastic granules that melt below 518ºF
Ultimaker S5 Printer
Composite ready dual extrusion
Compatible with over 200 different materials
Print Volume: 330 mm x 240 mm x 300 mm (13 in x 9.4 in x 11.8 in)
Dual nozzle open source filament systems at 2.85 diameters
Enclosed with 3D Print Clean Model 870 enclosures with high accuracy temperature, humidity, airflow, and remote monitoring enabled
Nozzle Temperature – 180 – 280 °C
Build Speed – < 24 mm³/s
ZMorph VX Multitool
Working Area: 250 mm x 235 mm x 165 mm (9.8 in x 9.2 in x 6.5 in)
Prints thermoplastics, thick pastes such as ceramics, and foaming agents.
Three fabrication methods: 3D printing, CNC cutting, and laser engraving
Capabilities: cut blanks, build machine parts, and simulates the large-scale additive manufacturing printer in process design by using both additive and subtractive manufacturing.
End-of-arm tooling on an ABB – IRB 4400 6-axis robot to print open source filament.
Allows printing on virtually any curved surface, including fiber-reinforced thermoplastic blanks.
Liestritz’s ZSE-27 MAXX Twin Screw Extruder
Liestritz’s ZSE-27 MAXX Twin Screw Extruder
40:1 L/D ratio
40Hp motor
1200 rpm in co-rotation and >150Lbs/hr output for compounding thermoplastics and natural fibers
Thermo Scientific Process 11 Parallel Twin-Screw Extruder
Minimized sample material usage (20 g)
Throughput range 20g/h to 2.5kg/h
Thermo Scientific™ Process 11 Melt Pump for pulsation-free metering
Filament Spooler for winding 3D filaments
Thermo Scientific™ VariCut Pelletizer with variable pellet sizing
INSTRUMENTATION
In addition to printing, the ASCC has the capability to install instrumentation such as visual cameras, thermal cameras, profilometers, and DIC cameras to monitor the printing process. Learn more.
