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World's Largest 3D Printer Constructs Homes—A Larger One Was Just Unveiled in Maine

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World's Largest 3D Printer Constructs Homes—A Larger One Was Just Unveiled in Maine


The world’s largest 3D printer has successfully constructed a house, showcasing its potential to streamline construction processes by reducing time and labor. 

Meanwhile, an even larger printer was recently unveiled in Maine, suggesting the possibility of constructing entire neighborhoods.

The University of Maine (UMaine) recently unveiled a new 3D printer, known as the Factory of the Future 1.0 (FoF 1.0), at the Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC). This printer, surpassing its predecessor in size, aims to advance sustainable manufacturing across various industries. (Photo: University of Maine)

The Factory of the Future (FoF 1.0)

The University of Maine (UMaine) recently unveiled a new 3D printer, known as the Factory of the Future 1.0 (FoF 1.0), at the Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC).

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This printer, surpassing its predecessor in size, aims to advance sustainable manufacturing across various industries.

FoF 1.0 can print objects as large as 96 feet long by 32 feet wide by 18 feet high, with a printing speed of up to 500 pounds per hour.

This printer utilizes thermoplastic polymer and offers promising opportunities for eco-friendly and cost-effective manufacturing. It could be used in industries such as national security, affordable housing, bridge construction, and maritime vessel fabrication.

Substantial support from the Office of the Secretary of Defense through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers made the development and fabrication of FoF 1.0 possible. 

It is designed not only as a large-scale printer but also as a versatile system capable of dynamically switching between various manufacturing processes, including additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing, continuous tape layup, and robotic arm operations.

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Read Also: Creality Initiates Sale of K1 Max 3D Printer with Better Price and Exciting Features as well as Amazon Prime Day Offers

New Research Frontiers

FoF 1.0’s capabilities extend beyond traditional manufacturing processes, offering new research opportunities in collaborative robotics operations, sensor integration, high-performance computing, and artificial intelligence.

These advancements are expected to meet rigorous quality standards and drive innovation across multiple sectors.

“FoF 1.0 opens up new research frontiers to integrate these collaborative robotics operations at a very large scale with new sensors, high-performance computing and artificial intelligence to create born-certified systems that meet high quality standards,” ASCC Executive Director Habib Dagher said in a press release statement.

The printer’s potential extends to developing biobased feedstocks from Maine’s abundant wood residuals. Initiatives such as BioHome3D aim to leverage this technology to create sustainable and affordable housing solutions while advancing lightweight structures and vessel technologies crucial for national security.

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“Maine needs an estimated 80,000 additional homes by 2030, many specifically for households with incomes at or below the area median income.

This new technology allows UMaine-ASCC to scale up its research and production of its innovative biobased 3D printed home technology,” said MaineHousing’s Development Director Mark Wiesendanger. 

“This effort creates another means of producing quality affordable housing, while further driving costs down, and using abundant wood residuals from Maine’s sawmills.” 

Related Article: ‘Chameleon Robots:’ These Robots Can Change Colors and Mimic Their Surroundings Through 3D Printing

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Maine

Maine allows inmates to work remote jobs

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Maine allows inmates to work remote jobs


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One prisoner has earned a six-figure salary as Maine is one of the few states to let incarcerated people work remote jobs for outside companies. NBC News’ Valerie Castro reports that other states are now watching Maine as a possible model.



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A winter storm will hit Maine through Monday

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A winter storm will hit Maine through Monday


A winter storm will move through Maine from Sunday into Monday, according to the National Weather Service in Caribou.

Precipitation, expected to begin early Sunday, will start as snow before changing to rain from south to north during the day.

The storm is expected to bring mostly snow north of Katahdin, with 10 or more inches in some areas, with less south of the mountain.

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Coastal, central, and southern Maine is expected to get anywhere between a dusting to a few inches.

In eastern Aroostook County, snowfall totals will depend on whether temperatures rise enough for a rain–snow mix.

Rain may switch back to light snow Sunday night before tapering off on Monday.

The weather service advised Mainers to plan for slippery roads and sidewalks, especially in northern parts of the state.



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Maine men’s hockey pulls away to beat Vermont

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Maine men’s hockey pulls away to beat Vermont


ORONO — Eleven games into the season, the University of Maine men’s hockey team has been inconsistent. But when the Black Bears put it together, they can be dominant and extremely fun to watch.

That was the case Friday night at Alfond Arena when Maine took the lead early, then broke it open with four goals in the second period on the way to a 7-0 win over Vermont.

The game showed both sides of the Black Bears. In the first period, they let the Catamounts (3-6, 1-4 in Hockey East) control and dictate play. In the second and third periods, Maine (7-3-1, 4-1) showed how good it can be when everything clicks.

“It wasn’t a 7-0 game. I thought they outworked us and outplayed us for most of the first (period). Obviously, the power play came through and got us going a little bit,” Maine coach Ben Barr said. “We couldn’t be bothered to forecheck in the first period. It was too much work.”

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Maine’s special teams played better after struggling throughout much of the first 10 games. The Black Bears were 2 for 5 on the power play, with goals from Josh Nadeau and Owen Fowler. Just as important, Maine killed two Vermont power plays. The Black Bears ranked near the bottom of Hockey East in penalty killing at just over 76% entering Friday’s games, having allowed a league-high 11 power-play goals.

Vermont’s offense is as potent as a placebo. The Catamounts entered Friday’s games as one of the lowest scoring teams in the nation, averaging just 1.4 goals per game. Vermont had three goals on 23 power-play opportunities, a league-low 13% success rate. So maybe the Catamounts aren’t the best barometer to judge if Maine cleaned up problems on the penalty kill.

The Catamounts also rank last in penalty killing in Hockey East, at a rate of just under 72%. That said, the Black Bears worked harder on the power play, and it showed.

“When the power play’s struggling, the tendency is to get frustrated. Then you take a shot, and it doesn’t go in, you watch it and it gets iced and you’ve got to go chase it,” Barr said. “We had second and third opportunities on the power play tonight, on one zone entry, because guys were retrieving pucks and working.”

For freshman Miquel Marques, the hard work paid off with a goal and three assists. A scratch last month in a game against Colgate, the third-round pick by Nashville in the 2024 NHL Draft knew he had to adjust to the college game.

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“Obviously, you don’t want to be a scratch or sitting … That kind of sucks. Sitting down with (Barr) and seeing what he wants from me, and everything is just working,” he said. “I’ve got to get back to my game, and I’ve kind of done that so far. Just getting my body in front of guys. That’s what he wanted, and it’s working well.”

Vermont got off nine shots in the first 10 minutes, but just 19 the rest of the game. Maine goalie Albin Boija was sharp early, giving the Black Bears time to regroup and take control. In earning his second shutout of the season, Boija said he felt better than he has in recent games.

“I just found the right head space in general. I felt better. It’s just been finding the right perspective on life in general, and then letting it come. I’m in a good spot now,” Boija said. “They came out firing. That was nice, because that’s been the difference, right? At the start, a lot of games had a couple quick goals. I thought I was ready, essentially, and I played that way, too.”

Nadeau had two goals and an assist, while freshman defenseman Jeremy Langlois, had a goal and two assists. Sully Scholle, whose goal started things for Maine at 6:29 of the first period, added an assist as well.

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