ORONO, Maine, Aug. 28 -- University of Maine issued the following news release:
HAMPDEN, Maine - The University of Maine launched a 30-foot, high-performance, 3D-printed boat Friday that researchers said could help manufacturers build vessels faster, cut the need for expensive molds and adapt designs more quickly for commercial and defense use.
The vessel, 3Dirigo X, was designed and manufactured at UMaine's Advanced Structures and Composites Center. It was built to handle offshore conditions at speeds approaching 40 knots.
Its launch marked a major step in moving large-scale 3D printing from a technological demonstration toward a practical manufacturing tool.
University, federal and defense leaders gathered in Hampden for the launch an...