Ultimaker – Lifting an armored vehicle using a 3D printed hook

UltiMaker wanted to demonstrate the true strength of 3D-printed parts. While showing facts and numbers say a lot, we wanted to visually show what 3D printed parts are capable of. This way, anyone can see what can be achieved using 3D printed parts. To do so, we designed and printed a load-bearing hook capable of lifting a 12-ton military vehicle. For this challenge, we consulted material experts at Covestro (formerly DSM) to determine the most suitable material for the hook. Multiple design iterations were produced and mechanically evaluated in collaboration with the Royal Netherlands Navy. After completing the development and validation phases, the final prototype was subjected to a full-scale test by attempting to lift a 12-ton armored military vehicle. This video showcases the process and demonstration of this incredible project. The succesful campaign consisted of a trailer, article, social media posts, press-releases, webinar content and of course the mini documentary itself.

Trailer

3D printed parts

While the main subject of this video was a 3D printed parts, we also designed several parts ourself to make the videoproduction go smoother. For example, the GoPro camera was mounted to the tank using a special mount. This 3D printed mount contained a strong magnet so we could place the camera on any position on the tank.