Constructing a Full-Scale Kayak Within a Day Via 3D Printing Technology
Treadmill-Powered 3D Printer Yields Functional Kayak in Under 24 Hours
Ivan Miranda, a pioneer in large-scale 3D printing, has successfully designed and printed a marine-grade kayak using his unique treadmill-based 3D printer. The project, which previously took seven days to complete, has been optimized to print a kayak in under 24 hours.
Miranda's updated 3D printer can extrude over 800 grams of plastic per hour, making it ideal for printing long, thin objects like a kayak. To accommodate the large build volume, the printer uses a treadmill as a bed.
The improved design of Miranda's 3D printer allows for maximum use of the belt width, ensuring the kayak is printed efficiently. The kayak is modeled using CAD software optimized for large-scale additive manufacturing, with structural ribs and internal reinforcements for improved stiffness and impact resistance.
Miranda encountered issues with the amount of heat involved during the kayak printing process. To address this, he made changes to his 3D printer's extruder to increase its speed, reducing the overall printing time. The kayak's body is filled with foam in key areas to improve buoyancy and structural integrity.
Once printed, the kayak is finished with a sander and a 3D pen to smooth imperfections. It is then coated with epoxy to make it watertight. However, the kayak might be floating and functional for a smaller individual, and it is not suitable for ocean use due to its narrowness.
Furthermore, Miranda suggests he needs to make changes to the kayak design for proper usage. Maritime engineering principles are crucial in producing viable watercraft, and these principles will be considered in future designs to ensure the kayak is stable and safe for all users.
This project demonstrates the capability of 3D printing large objects quickly with the right equipment. As 3D printing technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see more innovative applications in various industries, including marine manufacturing.
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