Largest 3D Printer in the World Begins Operating

The University of Maine has unveiled a groundbreaking giant 3D printer that is capable of producing objects as long as 96ft (29m) – the length of a blue whale. The new printer, named Factory of the Future 1.0 (FoF 1.0), is four times larger than the university’s previous record-breaking machine.

While the printer has the potential to revolutionize the construction industry by creating affordable housing, bridges, boats, and wind turbines, experts believe that it is more likely to be used for producing parts of buildings rather than entire structures. Dr. Eujin Pei from Brunel University explains that large 3D printers can be utilized for historical restoration and manufacturing decorative or replacement parts after natural disasters.

The FoF 1.0 can print up to 500lbs (227kg) of material per hour and the university aims to use sustainable materials, including recycled polymers and residual wood from sawmills, to feed into the printer. Despite the environmental benefits of 3D printing, there are still challenges with material recycling and durability.

Funded in part by the US military, the giant printer in Maine incorporates sensors, high-performance computing, and artificial intelligence to manufacture large products efficiently. The university hopes to address Maine’s housing shortage with the new printer and potentially collaborate with its predecessor to manufacture complex objects. While 3D printing holds promise for transforming manufacturing, there are concerns about its misuse for producing weapons, as seen in a recent case in the UK where criminals used a 3D printer to make sub-machine guns.