Hello my name is Christopher Beau Gilbert, I go by Beau. I am a first year Grad Student in the Computer Science department. I’ve experimented with 3-D printers and laser engravers in the past but it was very surface level. So I was interested in taking a proper class to hopefully flesh out my understanding.
When I think of 3-D Printing I think of stuff like the matter replicator from star trek, and what the application for 3-D printers could be in creating every day objects. An interesting example I found of this is BioHome3D. The project is part of the SM2ART Program a collaboration between Oak Ridge National Labs and the University of Main originally developed to find alternative uses for forest derived materials and one such was as an alternate printing material for 3-D Printing.
Link: https://composites.umaine.edu/advanced-manufacturing/biohome3d/
The project focuses on addressing the housing shortage by providing a form of housing construction that minimizes onsite construction time and fitting by using standardized automated manufacturing and offsite construction. The project also focusing and doing so with renewable resources by printing with plant based products. The project unveiled in 2022 a proof of concept, a 3-D Printed 600 square foot single family home, whose structural framework (walls, floor, ceiling) is entirely 3-D Printed. The framework was printed out of recyclable materials such as wood fiber and cellulose. The components are designed as separate printed modules for ease of transportation and assembly. I love that the project focuses not just on the construction but also on the materials. On a personal level, using wood fiber is nice because it helps break apart the one size fits all nature of plastic manufacturing which I like (it’s nice for things not to be made of plastic). But also it’s neat from an environmental perspective because it means manufacturing with biodegradable materials meaning that they don’t contribute to landfills. Overall I really like the project, I like 3-D printing being used for practical purposes and I like expanding the frontier of what can be 3-D Printed. Also highly recommend looking at the press kit on their website, because it includes a video of the printing of the house and it is very cool.
Hi Beau! What a cool project! It’s great that it’s addressing sustainability and affordable housing at the same time. Looking at their website, I love the continuous “wood grain” patterns that result from the printing process, particularly the example in the bedroom. It feels a lot cozier than most pre-fab houses. I appreciate that they made sure to use biodegradable insulation.
Hey Beau!
It’s absolutely mind-blowing that we can now 3D print fully livable structures—it feels like something straight out of a sci-fi movie! What’s even more impressive is how “normal” the structure looks; you’d never guess it was 3D printed from the ground up.
Wishing you all the best with the rest of your studies!
Hi Beau 🙂
It amazes me the benefits that come with manufacturing house this way! These houses are some of the more normal/ traditional houses I’ve seen that are 3D printed, its really impressive. I wonder how far into the future when this become more of the norm among society! Thanks for sharing this post