Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesNot in the way the headline suggests. The University of Maine operates the world’s largest Guinness-recognized polymer 3D printer and has used an earlier version to produce a 600-square-foot prototype home. However, the university’s published material does not verify that a complete, move-in-ready house was produced in under 80 hours.
The technology is real. The 80-hour figure needs qualification: it may refer to printing or production time rather than the entire process of creating a legal, serviced and occupied home.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Which 3D printer is the headline referring to?
The machine is at the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center. It is not a conventional desktop printer and it is not the same type of system as the concrete gantry printers used on building sites.
Recommended Free Tools
In April 2024, the university unveiled Factory of the Future 1.0, described as four times larger than its predecessor. Its stated working envelope is up to 96 feet long, 32 feet wide and 18 feet high, with a maximum material throughput of 500 pounds, or about 227 kilograms, per hour. The university says the system is intended for large-scale manufacturing involving housing, boats, bridges and energy infrastructure.
#1 Best Overall
- 【More Colors for More Projects】 Multiple compact 250g mini spools provide practical amounts of different colors for small prints, multicolor models, accent parts, and test prints. Explore more colors without filling your shelf with full 1kg spools or leaving large amounts of rarely used colors behind
- 【Easy to Print PLA】 Built for smooth printing with standard PLA profiles, low warping, and dependable layer adhesion. A practical everyday material for beginners and hobbyists making models, toys, decor, prototypes, and utility parts
- 【Neatly Wound for Reliable Feeding】 Precision winding supports smooth, consistent feeding and helps reduce snags and mid-print interruptions. Keep light tension on the filament end while loading or unloading, and secure it before storage to prevent loose loops
- 【Consistent Diameter and Steady Extrusion】 A consistent 1.75mm ±0.02mm diameter supports stable flow, even layers, and clean detail from the first layer to the final layer. Reliable extrusion means less time troubleshooting and more time printing
- 【Fits Most FDM Printers】 Designed for most 1.75mm FDM printers with external, top-mounted, or open spool holders. Each spool measures 140mm in diameter and 36mm in width, with a 53mm center hole. For Bambu Lab AMS or AMS lite, search MakerWorld for a compatible 250g spool adapter before use
The record therefore needs to be stated precisely: it is the world’s largest polymer 3D printer according to the university’s Guinness-recognized achievement, not automatically the largest 3D printer in every category. Concrete construction printers, metal systems, robotic arms and hybrid manufacturing machines are measured and classified differently.
The University of Maine’s specifications and 2024 announcement describe Factory of the Future 1.0 as more than a simple extrusion machine. It combines large-scale additive manufacturing with subtractive machining, continuous tape layup, robotic operations, sensors, high-performance computing and artificial intelligence.
The house was BioHome3D
The building associated with the University of Maine’s earlier printer is BioHome3D, unveiled on November 21, 2022. It is a 600-square-foot prototype made from forest-derived materials, including wood fibre and bio-resin.
The university says BioHome3D’s floors, walls and roof were additively manufactured. That makes it notably different from many concrete 3D-printed housing projects, where the printer produces primarily the walls while conventional construction supplies the foundation, roof and internal systems.
BioHome3D was designed to demonstrate the potential of locally sourced and recyclable materials. It is a research prototype, however, not a standard house package available for purchase. Its existence proves that a substantial bio-based building can be manufactured using large-format polymer printing; it does not by itself prove that the approach is ready for routine residential construction at commercial scale.
Rank #2
- Colorful Variety 4 Pack: Each color weighs 200 g, providing a total of 800 g. Dive into the vibrant world of 3D printing with AMOLEN silk multicolor PLA filament pack, featuring stunning shades. Even small models can display multiple colors
- Silk Dual Color PLA: Experiment with multiple hues without the commitment of larger spools. You can print beautiful multicolors in one PLA filament, perfect for arts, crafts, DIY. Whether you're crafting Easter decorations, designing Halloween costumes, creating Christmas ornaments, or making Valentine’s surprises, this filament delivers stunning results every time
- Precision Printing: Achieve flawless prints with shiny silk dual color PLA filament, engineered for ease of use and exceptional precision. With a product diameter of 1.75 mm and precision tolerance of +/- 0.02 mm, smooth and consistent results
- Smooth and Reliable Printing: Experience smooth printing with AMOLEN silk PLA filament. Good shaping, strong toughness, no bubble, no jamming, no warping, melt well, feed smoothly and constantly without clogging the nozzle or extruder
- After-sales Service: AMOLEN is focused on innovative and better quality 3d printing filaments. Stand behind the quality and performance of our 3D printer filament. Provide professional 3D printing technical guidance and good 24/7 customer service
More information is available on the university’s BioHome3D project page and its announcement of the prototype.
Was the house really printed in under 80 hours?
The primary sources do not verify that claim. The University of Maine’s published information confirms the printer’s size, material throughput and housing ambitions. It also confirms the existence and printed scope of BioHome3D. It does not provide a production log showing that a completed home was made in fewer than 80 hours.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteThat means “under 80 hours” should be treated as an attributed or unverified claim unless a project-specific technical record clarifies exactly what the clock measured.
| Claim | What the available evidence supports |
|---|---|
| World’s biggest 3D printer | The University of Maine operates a record-holding large-format polymer printer. |
| It can make a house | An earlier machine produced the 600-square-foot BioHome3D prototype. |
| It made a house in under 80 hours | Not verified by the primary University of Maine sources reviewed. |
| It prints an entire finished home | The university says BioHome3D’s floors, walls and roof were printed; that is not the same as printing every building component or completing every construction task. |
| It printed a concrete house | No. BioHome3D used forest-derived polymer materials and bio-resins. |
The distinction matters because “80 hours” could mean active extrusion time, printer runtime, production of separate modules, assembly of the structural shell or the entire period from site preparation to occupancy. Those are very different measurements.
What does “printed house” leave out?
A printer can manufacture major structural components without completing a legally habitable building. Depending on the design and construction method, work outside the printer may include:
Rank #3
- Cost-Effective Filament Bundle: Get 2 "1kg" spools of PLA filament for the price of 1 with classic black and white color
- Smooth and Stable Printing: Patented design and manufacturing process ensures smooth, clog-free printing
- Durable and Strong: Improved toughness and strength for printing functional parts
- Compatible with Most Printers: Works with 99% of FDM and FFF 3D printers with heated beds
- Renewable Material: Made from starch derived from renewable plant resources for environmental friendliness
- site surveying, excavation and foundation construction;
- transportation, lifting or assembly of printed sections;
- structural connections and reinforcement;
- electrical wiring and consumer units;
- plumbing and drainage;
- heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems;
- windows and external doors;
- roofing or weatherproofing;
- insulation, fire protection and interior finishes;
- kitchens, bathrooms, fixtures and appliances;
- utility connections, inspections and building-control approval.
A completed house must also satisfy local requirements for structural safety, fire performance, moisture resistance, energy efficiency, accessibility and durability. A research prototype is not automatically an approved building system in every jurisdiction.
How polymer printing differs from concrete construction printing
The University of Maine’s approach should not be confused with commercial concrete construction printing.
Large-format polymer and bio-based printing
Polymer printing deposits a thermoplastic or bio-based material through an extrusion system. It can support complex, integrated components and may allow floors, walls and roof elements to be manufactured as part of one material system. The University of Maine is also investigating forest-derived feedstocks and hybrid manufacturing processes.
Its challenges include proving long-term performance, fire resistance, weathering behaviour, insulation performance, joining methods and code compliance. Large polymer systems may also require a specialised facility and careful planning for transport or on-site assembly.
Concrete construction printers
Systems such as COBOD’s BOD2 use a modular gantry that moves along X, Y and Z axes and deposits concrete according to a digital model. COBOD says its systems can use locally sourced concrete rather than a proprietary mix.
Rank #4
- 【10 Rolls of 1kg 1.75mm PLA+ Filament, Multiple Color Choices】10 rolls of 1000g SUNLU 1.75mm PLA plus filament. Color: Black+White+Grey+Blue+Green+Orange+Red+PureYellow+GrassGreen+Blue Grey. The design of 1000g PLA+ filament is convenient for customers with multiple color needs. Especially for multi-nozzle 3d printer users and 3d pen users.
- 【SUNLU 100% Wound Neatly Filament】- SUNLU R&D team has mastered advanced technology and produced 100% Neatly Wound PLA+ Filament, which is impossible for other brands. No knot, no winding, improve printing efficiency.
- 【SUNLU PLA PLUS 3D Filament Advantages】- PLA PLUS filament is 10 times stronger than PLA Filament, the color is brighter, it has many advantages, Clog/Bubble/Tangle/Warping/Stringing free, easy to Use, better layer adhesion.
- 【1.75mm Diameter】- Dimensional Accuracy +/- 0.02mm. SUNLU filament has wide compatibility due to the small diameter error, it's suitable for almost all 1.75mm FDM 3D printers.
- 【Spool Diameter】- Spool Diameter: 8.00", Spool Width: 2.50", Spool Hub Hole Diameter: 2.20". The size of the SUNLU filament spool is suitable for hanging on many 3D printers.
COBOD states that a single-storey home of approximately 100 square metres typically takes one to four days to print the wall structure. That is not a claim that the entire finished home is complete in one to four days. Foundations, reinforcement, services, windows, doors, roofing, finishes and inspections remain part of the wider project.
COBOD’s description of the process also says that other construction phases continue after printing. Its BOD2 information describes a machine with a maximum print length of 40 metres and a stated maximum printing speed of 250 millimetres per second. These specifications belong to COBOD’s concrete system and should not be used as evidence for the University of Maine’s polymer printer.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does faster printing mean cheaper housing?
Faster structural production could reduce some labour, formwork and material-handling requirements. The University of Maine also connects its work with housing shortages, construction labour shortages, supply-chain constraints and the possibility of using local forest residuals. MaineHousing has estimated that Maine could need approximately 80,000 additional homes by 2030, particularly for households at or below area median income.
But affordability is a project outcome, not a printer specification. A realistic cost assessment must include:
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
- land, surveying and site preparation;
- foundations and utility connections;
- printer purchase, rental, transport and setup;
- material handling, mixing, testing or storage;
- operators, engineers and technicians;
- design, modelling and structural engineering;
- reinforcement, insulation and weatherproofing;
- mechanical, electrical and plumbing trades;
- permits, inspections, insurance and financing;
- maintenance, repairs and post-print finishing.
COBOD currently says its construction printers start at approximately $400,000, with final pricing depending on configuration, size and accessories. It also describes delivery to independent operation as taking about five months, including production, shipping, installation and training. That is industrial equipment pricing, not the cost of a house.
Best Value
- 【16 Rolls of 250g PLA Plus Filament】- Color: Black, Roasted Chestnut Black, White, Bone White, Grey, Blue, Red, Green, Yellow, Sunny Orange, Lavender Purple, Pink, Wood, Olive Green, Coffee Brown, Transparent
- 【Small Spool Diameter】- Spool Diameter: 140mm(5.5 inches), Spool Hub Hole Diameter: 53mm(2.08 inches), Spool Width: 36mm(1.4 inches). Please pay attention to the filament spool size! Please check if it is compatible with your 3D printer.
- 【PLA Plus Filament Bundle】- The design of 250g PLA+ filament is convenient for customers with multiple color needs. Especially for multi-nozzle 3d printer users and 3d pen users.
- 【SUNLU Wound Neatly Filament】- SUNLU R&D team has mastered advanced technology and produced Neatly Wound PLA+ Filament, which is impossible for other brands. No knot, no winding, improve printing efficiency.
- 【SUNLU PLA PLUS 3D Filament Advantages】- PLA PLUS filament is 10 times stronger than PLA Filament, the color is brighter, it has many advantages, Clog/Bubble/Tangle/Warping/Stringing free, easy to Use, better layer adhesion.
Nor should claims about material savings be converted into claims that a complete home costs ten times less. Material cost is only one part of a building budget, and the result varies with location, labour rates, design, site conditions and regulatory requirements.
What are the main construction risks?
Large-format 3D printing does not remove construction risk; it changes where that risk occurs. Important failure points include:
- Throughput versus real output: the maximum material rate does not include calibration, cleaning, pauses, material changes or downtime.
- Material performance: the feedstock must meet requirements for strength, fire, moisture, temperature and long-term durability.
- Site conditions: concrete gantries require a suitable, level work area and reliable material supply.
- Services integration: pipes, cables, ducts and reinforcement must be designed into or installed around the printed structure.
- Transport and assembly: large printed components may be difficult or expensive to move.
- Approval: building-control authorities may require project-specific testing and engineering evidence.
- Workforce changes: fewer hours of conventional wall construction may mean more work in design, programming, setup, quality control and finishing.
Can someone buy a 3D-printed house from the University of Maine?
There is no indication in the cited university material that BioHome3D is a retail house model with a published price, standard plan, consumer checkout or production schedule. Factory of the Future 1.0 is presented as a research and development platform.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Commercial concrete printers are available to professional organisations, developers and construction companies, but they are not consumer appliances. COBOD’s equipment requires a construction pipeline, trained operators, engineering, site preparation, concrete supply and local permitting. In Europe, PERI’s BOD2 page describes purchase availability through PERI in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and Poland, illustrating that availability and support can depend on geography.
What the headline should say
A more accurate description would be:
The University of Maine operates the world’s largest polymer 3D printer and has used its earlier machine to produce a 600-square-foot bio-based prototype home. Claims that a complete house can be made in under 80 hours have not been verified by the university’s published technical material.
That version preserves the genuinely impressive achievement without implying that a printer routinely delivers an inspected, serviced and move-in-ready home in 80 hours.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
