If a 3D printer can produce a 5000-pound boat, what can't it do?
Industrial giant Ingersol Rand's new giant additive manufacturing has joined the Guiness Book of World Records with the effort.
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| As of right now, the printer is capable of making objects up to 100 feet long, 10 feet high, and 22 feet wide. |
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According to a report from local television channel WIFR in Illinois, Chip Storie, CEO of Ingersoll Machine Tools, "Ingersoll Machine Tools has a long history of being on the forefront of technology. The University of Maine came to us and they have a composites lab and decided that Ingersoll Machine Tools right was the company that they wanted to partner with. So we worked with them to design and build the world's largest 3D printer."
The University recently unveiled the printer, where it created a full-scale boat in less than 72 hours. The boat weighs in at 5000 pounds or 2.5 tons, "sailing" past world records for a 3D printed ship - or a 3D printed anything.
The printing process starts with plastic pellets, which go through long process of melting and
are made into products in any 3D printer. In the case of this printer,
its products are used across the aerospace industry.
Another Ingersol Rand manager tells WIFR that "A lot of times, buildings
are built specifically for one of our machines. The parts and the
machines will keep getting bigger."
These giant machines take up to a year to build, test, and ship the company's Rockford, IL factory.
The University of Maine received one record for world’s largest prototype polymer 3D printer, one for the largest 3D-printed object ever made, and one for world’s largest 3D-printed boat.
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In addition to weighing 5000 pounds, the ship is some 25-feet long (see image nearby).
 The University says it is exploring a number of applications for the military in terms of prototyping shelters, vehicles, and other large systems.
Moving forward, it seems likely there will be more Guinness Records to come from this mega printer. That’s because the boat only represents a fraction of what the 3D printer can actually produce.
As of right now, it’s capable of making objects up to 100 feet long, 10 feet high, and 22 feet wide. Which obviously sounds huge, but is even more astounding when you think about how big industrial printers like these will be ten years from now. Those may even be able to make this happe
What do you think of this 3D printed boat? Let us know your thoughts at the Feedback section below.
Your Comments/Feedback
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John Hill
Director, St. Onge |
Posted on: Oct, 24 2019 |
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| How large is this megaloprinter and what did it cost to build? What about the boat if I were to order five or ten? What are Ingersoll's plans and the timeline going forward? |
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