3D printing technology has advanced tremendously over the past decade, enabling the creation of large-scale objects with intricate details using various materials. As the technology continues to evolve, manufacturers are producing ever bigger 3D printers capable of printing large industrial parts, architectural models, art installations, and more.
In this article, we will explore some of the biggest 3D printers in the world and the innovative ways they are being used across industries. From building houses to printing metal rocket parts, these massive printers showcase the future possibilities of additive manufacturing on an enormous scale.
UMaine’s World Record Breaking 3D Printer
In 2020, the University of Maine unveiled the world’s largest polymer 3D printer at the time. Built by researchers at the UMaine Advanced Structures and Composites Center, the printer measures 100 feet long and has a print bed 11.5 feet wide and 6 feet high.
Named the Concrete Additive Manufacturing Machine (CAM), it uses an automated gantry system to extrude layers of concrete. The giant printer is capable of printing 3D structures up to 100 feet long, 22 feet wide and 10 feet high using specialized concrete mixes. Researchers estimate its build volume to be approximately 500 cubic meters.
CAM allows for faster and cheaper construction of concrete elements with complex geometries. It can fabricate walls, foundations, columns, beams and floor slabs for buildings and bridges. The technology has vast implications for improving infrastructure construction, disaster relief housing, military facilities and more.
In 2021, UMaine used the massive 3D printer to fabricate the world’s largest 3D printed object – a 25-foot long, 5.5-foot wide and 2.5-foot high 3D printed boat weighing over 5 tons. The university continues to push the boundaries of large-scale additive manufacturing with CAM.
BOD’s Industrial Metal 3D Printers
Boston based company BOD (Big Reps Over Development) produces some of the largest industrial 3D printers on the market today. Their Orion system has a massive 1000 liter build volume, allowing it to print objects up to 39 feet long and 6 feet wide.
The Orion printer extrudes plastic filaments to build large scale prototypes, architectural models, artwork and composites molds. It utilizes an IDEX (Independent Dual Extruder) system for printing complex geometries and achieving a smooth surface finish.
In 2019, BOD released their Metal X 3D printer – the first serial production metal 3D printing system of its size. With a build envelope of 2.8 x 1.5 x 1.2 meters, it can fabricate large metal parts from various alloys including stainless steel, titanium and nickel superalloys.
The Metal X uses a patented plasma atomization technology to produce metal powders during the printing process, eliminating the need for pre-alloyed powders. BOD’s giant metal printer is ideal for heavy industries like aerospace, automotive, maritime and energy to replace legacy casting processes with additive manufacturing.
Giant Delta Printer Builds Full-Sized Houses
Construction scale 3D printing has made major strides, with the University of Nantes unveiling an ultra-large printer in 2018 that can build entire houses. Working with construction company Batiprint3D, they developed a massive delta 3D printer standing 32 feet tall and with a build volume of 36 feet in diameter and 48 feet high.
The giant 3D printer extrudes layers of concrete to build walls and foundation. It includes a robotic arm to add openings for windows and doors during the printing process. Reinforcing steel bars can also be automatically inserted between the printed layers.
Using this mammoth construction printer, Batiprint3D built its first 3D printed house in France in under 3 days, which was later inhabited by a family. The innovative technology could provide an efficient and low-cost method for building affordable housing, especially in underdeveloped regions.
Other startups like ICON and SQ4D are also developing giant 3D construction printers to automate home building and provide humanitarian solutions. The ability to rapidly print livable dwellings could have enormous implications as global populations grow.
World’s Biggest Metal 3D Printer at Rock Island Arsenal
In 2014, the U.S. Army unveiled the world’s largest metal 3D printer at the Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois. Built in collaboration withLockheed Martin, the 3D printer measured 30 feet wide and 40 feet long.
The machine uses a laser sintering process to print components from high-strength titanium powders. It was designed to fabricate parts for ground vehicles and weapons systems up to 100 cubic feet in volume.
Additive manufacturing greatly reduces waste compared to traditional metal machining. By 3D printing complex titanium parts like heavy turrets and amphibious vehicle hulls, the Army can lower costs significantly.
The giant 3D printer enables rapid prototyping of new designs. It also has implications for on-demand part production to support military missions worldwide. At the time, this mammoth metal printer demonstrated the game-changing potential of 3D printing for defense applications.
Takeaway
From housing to aerospace, these massively large 3D printers demonstrate the growing diversity of additive manufacturing applications. As the technology continues to evolve, increasing build volumes and multi-material capabilities will further expand possibilities.
With faster print speeds and reduced costs, large-scale 3D printing unlocks new potential for innovators and businesses across sectors to think bigger. The creative and practical boundaries of these giant printers have yet to be explored.
