Senator Collins Participates in Christening and Launch of UMaine’s 3D-Printed Vessel

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HAMPDEN, ME - Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins delivered remarks at the christening and launch of 3Dirigo-X, a 30-foot, 3D-printed vessel designed and manufactured by the University of Maine's Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC). Senator Collins joined University of Maine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy, University of Maine System Chancellor Dannel Malloy, ASCC Executive Director Dr. Habib Dagher, and Keith DeVries, Director of the Department of Defense Manufacturing Technology (MANTECH) Program, for the event at Hampden Marina. Following her remarks, Senator Collins helped christen the vessel and observed an in-water demonstration.

3Dirigo-X is the first large 3D-printed vessel designed to operate at high speeds in the challenging environment of the Atlantic Ocean. Developed through a Department of Defense-funded Accelerated Rapid Prototyping (ARP) program, it is engineered to withstand the static, dynamic, impact, vibration, and hydrodynamic forces associated with operating at speeds approaching 40 knots. The vessel builds on the ASCC's 2019 production of 3Dirigo, a 25-foot patrol boat that was printed in 72 hours and set Guinness World Records for the world's largest 3D-printed boat and largest 3D-printed object.

"Today, we launch 3Dirigo-X, the first large 3D-printed vessel designed to operate at high speeds in the challenging environment of the Atlantic Ocean. 3Dirigo proved that a boat could be printed. 3Dirigo-X will demonstrate that a vessel produced by this technology can perform in the demanding conditions of the high seas," said Senator Collins during her remarks. "This significant advancement is the result of the expertise of researchers at UMaine's Advanced Structures and Composites Center. My first official visit as a new senator in 1997 was to Dr. Dagher's wood composites lab. Ever since, I have been proud to support the pioneering work done here by securing funding to support and strengthen its advanced manufacturing capabilities."

Senator Collins has supported the ASCC since the beginning of her Senate service, and her first official visit as a senator in 1997 was to Dr. Habib Dagher's wood composites laboratory. In 2019, she helped establish a partnership between UMaine and Oak Ridge National Laboratory focused on large-scale 3D printing with forest materials and in the past five years alone, she has secured more than $115 million in federal appropriations to support the ASCC's Factory of the Future. This includes $35 million in fiscal year 2022 appropriations legislation to support the construction and advanced manufacturing capabilities of the ASCC's Factory of the Future, and an additional $33 million in fiscal year 2023 to expand the facility, including the addition of a second manufacturing bay.

In April 2024, the ASCC unveiled the world's largest polymer 3D printer, which is four times larger than its previous record-setting printer. The printer allows UMaine to accelerate and expand its research into applications including shipbuilding, affordable housing, and bridge construction.

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