NDR: 3D-Printed Boat--30', 300 HP

Richard Lathrop said:
Sales pitch. 12 hours to 3d print the boat. It doesn’t say what filament is being used. It also doesn’t mention how long for fitting components to hull.
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Oh yes, that composites lab at UMaine is very much pitching its products. But they do come up with some interesting concepts--a few that are actually practical. This seems to be early stage. From the video that ran on the local news--can't find a link--it looks like the rigging amounts to adding an outboard and steering. Hull looks like the functional equivalent of a similar fiberglass or metal boat. The pitch for 25' version they put out 5+ years ago said it was made of "from PLA derived from corn and nanocellulose derived from wood." (Another UMaine project is developing alternative uses for low grade or waste wood from lumbering operations, since so much less of that is now used for wood pulp for paper.) It sounds to me like this is more about proving that large objects can be 3D printed quickly than about revolutionizing boat manufacturing.
 
Jeff Reardon said:
Oh yes, that composites lab at UMaine is very much pitching its products. But they do come up with some interesting concepts--a few that are actually practical. This seems to be early stage. From the video that ran on the local news--can't find a link--it looks like the rigging amounts to adding an outboard and steering. Hull looks like the functional equivalent of a similar fiberglass or metal boat. The pitch for 25' version they put out 5+ years ago said it was made of "from PLA derived from corn and nanocellulose derived from wood." (Another UMaine project is developing alternative uses for low grade or waste wood from lumbering operations, since so much less of that is now used for wood pulp for paper.) It sounds to me like this is more about proving that large objects can be 3D printed quickly than about revolutionizing boat manufacturing.
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At current speeds I am not sold on large 3d printing compared to traditional construction techniques.
 
Richard Lathrop said:
At current speeds I am not sold on large 3d printing compared to traditional construction techniques.
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I believe I read that the earlier, 25' hull UMaine made a few years ago was printed in about 72 hours. They may have a bigger printer now. I also think one of hype promos I read said they can print objects as large as 100'. I'm not buying one of their hulls until someone I know has run it on the North Atlantic or similar big water for several years, but I'm interested in the concept.
 
Jeff Reardon said:
I believe I read that the earlier, 25' hull UMaine made a few years ago was printed in about 72 hours. They may have a bigger printer now. I also think one of hype promos I read said they can print objects as large as 100'. I'm not buying one of their hulls until someone I know has run it on the North Atlantic or similar big water for several years, but I'm interested in the concept.
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Jeff,

I am of same opinion.

How do you repair a split at one of the layers?

Rick Lathrop
 
Richard Lathrop said:
Jeff,

I am of same opinion.

How do you repair a split at one of the layers?

Rick Lathrop
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3d printing metal is different than a hobbyist printing plastics. There are two methods I am aware of: one is taking a metal powder and then fusing it at the electrode to then print layers which leaves a rough outside finish that has to be cleaned up, and the other use welding wire, like a hobbyist printer using plastic wire, but it is welding each layer that creates a way better bond over melting plastic layers together. I am not sure which style they are utilizing and it honestly could be totally different than these two but I am sure it's layers are not as susceptible to delamination or cracking compared to the same extent of what I can print.
 
Jeff Reardon said:
I bet that compares favorably to the same size boat in fiberglass. A 28' Boston Whaler Dauntless is 5500 pounds dry weight; 7.400 with motor and fuel.
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Jeff~

Your note sent me to the Whalers site. I knew all their brochures front-to-back when a kid. They had only the 13'3" and the 16'7" (Menemsha, Montauk, Nauset, Sakonnet, etc) and all models had some wood on them. I loved the forward rake (steeve) on the windshields!

Whalers were sold at a small boat/outboard dealer in my home town. Of course - never having bought a new boat - I was never really in the market. (Or, as my neighbor has observed: "You wouldn't know what to do with a turn-key operation.")

In any event, my time on the site was eye-opening - viz. models, weights and prices. I've always had/wanted boats I could shove afloat if I got into trouble. Even my old 22-foot gaff sloop could be coaxed back into navigable depths if I misjudged.

All the best!

SJS
 
Chip M. said:
Pretty sure it was composite beams that just caused the collapse of a bridge in Old Town, ME during construction
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I just had a friend who works for Maine DOT at my house yesterday. He works in a different region, but apparently the new technology there was some kind of pre-made composite form for a poured concrete structural element. Theories include damage to the form; overloading of the form; and insufficient cure time before additional weight was put on the structure.
 
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