Update on UMaine’s Bio-Based 3D Printed Home

Maine is faced with a challenge to provide over 84,000 homes by 2030. The University of Maine’s solution to this housing demand is a bio-based 3D printed home, which we took a look at in this previous article:

The 600 sq. ft. modular home, constructed from wood residuals, was recently unveiled at the Orono campus. Despite enduring a harsh Maine winter with extreme wind chill factors, the structure showed no signs of expansion, contraction, or cracking, as expressed by Habib Dagher, the executive director of the university’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center.

A noteworthy mention is the plan to print another home soon, designed to house a family. Further emphasizing efficiency, Dagher aims to complete the 3D printing of a home in a mere two days. Upcoming projects include the construction of a factory by 2026, dedicated to training engineers and enhancing 3D printing capabilities.

This facility will produce nine homes for a neighborhood project in collaboration with community non-profit Penquis. Regarding the financial aspect, the material expenses for the initial home were $40,000, excluding interior appliances. Dagher recognizes this as a commendable beginning with potential for further cost reduction.

In light of these developments, the future may see an increase in sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective housing solutions thanks to 3D printing technology, and of course, help train the next generation of construction specialists in the Maine area..

Source: mainepublic.org

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