World's Largest 3D Printer Prints Fully Functioning Boat

Yesterday, the University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center unveiled the world's largest polymer 3D printer. The printer is capable of printing parts up to 100 feet long, and at a ceremony, they revealed some incredible achievements. 

First, they showed off a 3D printed tactical center they printed in three weeks. Next, they showed off a 3D printed boat mold made from PLA derived from corn and nanocellulose derived from wood. The mold helped build the roof of a boat. The material is 100-percent recyclable. 

Finally, the team pulled the cover off of a 25-foot long, 5,000-pound boat that was entirely 3D printed. 

While it is the largest 3D printer, it doesn't lumber along. The boat took little more than a weekend to print. The researchers started printing the boat on a Thursday at 6 pm, and by about the same time Sunday night, they had a boat. 

While many names were considered, including the 3D Mainiac, the multidisciplinary team of researchers and engineers settled on the 3Dirigo. Dirigo, which means "I lead" in Latin, is the motto for the state of Maine. 

Overall, the project cost about $40,000. 

The boat was outfitted with a 150 HP Mercury motor, christened with a bottle of champagne, and better yet, it floated. 

Guinness World Records was on hand to officially recognize the 5,000-pound 3Dirigo as the largest 3D printed boat in the world. The record was previously held by a 40-pound rowboat. 

When discussing how such an achievement was possible, one university official said, "none of us is smarter than all of us."