Maine’s Mega 3D Printer Is Revolutionizing Home Construction with Wood.

At the University of Maine, innovation is taking a giant leap forward with the world’s largest 3D printer, which is transforming sawdust into charming wooden cabins. This ambitious project at the Advanced Structures & Composites Center (ASCC) is not just about size; it's about meeting an urgent need for housing in a state grappling with a severe shortage.

A Game-Changer in Sustainable Housing

Maine faces a pressing housing crisis, with an estimated 80,000 new homes needed over the next five years. Traditional construction methods take time and are hindered by slow updates to building codes. Enter the ASCC's revolutionary 3D printer, which could reshape how homes are built. Certified by Guinness World Records as the largest prototype polymer 3D printer, this machine can construct a 600 square foot house—measuring 96 feet long, 36 feet wide, and 18 feet tall—entirely out of bio-based material. The printer operates at an impressive speed, producing 500 pounds of material per hour.

In 2022, the printer was capable of creating the walls, floors, and roof of a house in just 96 hours. However, the ASCC team is pushing the envelope further, aiming to cut this time in half and achieve a 48-hour printing cycle.

What sets the ASCC's approach apart is its ability to print an entire house, not just the walls. While most 3D printing projects focus on individual elements like walls, this printer constructs full structures. The BioHome3D, as the ASCC calls it, has already impressed many visitors who are eager to see this concept become a reality.

The BioHome3D design echoes the warm, modern aesthetic of Scandinavian cabins, fitting seamlessly into the Maine landscape. The ASCC is also working on integrating essential features like wiring and plumbing into the print, ensuring that the houses are not only beautiful but functional.

The potential of this technology is enormous. By leveraging local sawdust and advanced 3D printing techniques, the ASCC is paving the way for faster, more sustainable housing solutions. As the team refines their designs and speeds up the printing process, they aim to address the housing crisis in Maine and potentially beyond.

Learn more and get a good look at the 3D printed Bio Home below by watching this video. 

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