University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center

A “large format” 3D printing company manufactures large objects such as boat molds and components. Another composites startup is advancing industrial production rates of a class of structural composite materials.

The latest spinoff from the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center is preparing to move to a larger location with four production lines for existing and future contracts.

At Brunswick Landing, a 3D printing company plans to print large objects such as boat molds and components.

Modern manufacturing increasingly uses “smart” robotics and automation technology, known as “Industry 4.0.” The facility is designed to strengthen the worker pipeline.

Millions of federal dollars have been frozen from grant programs at research labs across the state, and the Univ. of Maine has had funding terminated from a number of programs. Some of the grant dollars have been restored, others are tied up in legal action.

After being notified in April that $3.3 million in federal grants are being withheld, the Advanced Structures and Composites Center in Orono laid off nine employees. 

Notice of a funding freeze by the Trump administration for alternative energy research at the university has brought an abrupt halt to an offshore wind turbine installation project that has been years in the making.

The 50,000-square-foot facility is designed as a digital manufacturing environment powered by high-performance computing and artificial intelligence.

The construction industry has a lot of interesting developments that balance sustainability with affordability.

The research array is intended to study interactions with the marine environment, fishing industry, shipping and navigation routes and to inform commercial development of the technology.