The limits of technology have greatly expanded in the past decade, and on the forefront of that expansion has been the capabilities of the 3D printer. This technology has been used in the medical, aerospace, and automotive industries. And now, it is making its way into the nautical scene in a big way. A group from Sweden has 3D printed a complete boat, and they give some insights into its first sailing run.

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The Idea Comes To Life

The one-piece boat was launched in Gothenburg, Sweden, to determine the feasibility of a 3D-printed motorboat. The team, comprised of members of both the organizations RISE and Cipax designed and printed this one-of-a-kind boat. The goal of this project was to make customizable boats at low cost with short lead times.

The craft, dubbed Pioner, was launched on December 16, 2020, into the archipelago of Sweden's west coast. It took only three days for the boat to be constructed, and that was going at a cautious pace. They will not be making obscene amounts of power like Mercedes AMG boats, but it will be enough to get the job done.

What Are The Potential Markets For This?

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Via: YouTube

Firstly, there is the civilian population who are keen to get their hands on these easily made crafts. But with low overhead and fast production times, there are also a number of other groups who are interested in the boats such as the police, fire service, and the armed forces. These groups would look to add customizable options to the Pioner, such as fire extinguisher holders and diving equipment installations.

One of the keys of this project, and moving forward one of the keys for the municipal and military groups interested in the boats, is the ability to customize vessels. Another interest is that the reproduction costs will not skyrocket due to these boats being made without molds.

Where Do They Go From Here?

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Via: YouTube

The group still has a ways to go with their 3D-printed vessel, but they are making significant progress. Some of the obstacles they still have to tackle involve the boat's ability to remain floating while filled with water, which the Pioner just barely does.

Additionally, due to the nature of the plastic used in the 3D printing process, the boat itself is more dense than water. This means that before it can go to market there have to be some flotation elements added to it. But these challenges will not stop the team at RISE, as they head towards being at the forefront of the additive manufacturing industry.

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