How a Treadmill Was Ingeniously Transformed into a Large-Scale 3D Printer

Breaking the Boundaries of 3D Printing: Turning a Treadmill into a Print Bed

One persistent limitation in the world of 3D printing is the restricted size of the print bed. Standard 3D printers are exceptional for producing small and medium-sized components, but manufacturing larger objects means dividing designs into smaller segments and assembling them later—a cumbersome process both in terms of time and structure.

But what if this limitation could be eliminated entirely? Enter Ivan Miranda, a creative YouTuber who devised a clever solution that is redefining large-format additive manufacturing. His approach: utilizing a treadmill as an unconventional, yet highly effective, moving print bed for his 3D printer.

Unique Product Features and Working Methodology

Rather than extending the size of the print bed, Miranda mounted his 3D printer onto a treadmill, allowing the belt to move slowly beneath the printer's nozzle. As a result, the printer can continuously produce objects of virtually any desired length without interruption, as the workpiece is methodically moved along the treadmill during the printing process.

Unlike typical 3D printers, which are confined by the dimensions of their build plates, this innovative setup leverages the treadmill’s motion to constantly reposition the print surface. Notably, Ivan installs the print head at an angle—suspended from the handles of the treadmill—which leads to prints emerging at roughly a 45-degree angle. This offers the practical advantage of allowing the curved end of the treadmill to automatically detach finished sections cleanly as the printing continues, simplifying post-print processing.

Advantages, Use Cases, and Market Impact

Miranda's ultimate ambition is to 3D print a full-size kayak, a daunting task beyond the reach of conventional desktop 3D printers. With the treadmill arrangement, he can fabricate elongated, seamless structures—such as the remarkably tall I-beam he successfully printed in his recent video (with John from Proper Printing)—that would otherwise be nearly impossible.

This breakthrough demonstrates how adapted hardware and creative problem-solving can open up new possibilities in industrial design, prototyping, and even consumer-level fabrication. For startups and professionals aiming to produce large-scale prototypes or custom parts, such a setup could revolutionize workflow, reduce costs, and inspire further innovation in digital manufacturing.

A Glimpse into the Future of Additive Manufacturing

While Miranda has not yet completed his full-size kayak, his ongoing experimentation is a testament to what’s possible when creativity meets technology. As the demand for larger and more complex 3D printed items grows, solutions like this could influence commercial 3D printer designs and foster new market opportunities for engineers and makers worldwide.