Industrial 3D printer OEM JuggerBot 3D announces that Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and Mississippi State University’s Advanced Composites Institute (ACI) will bring their expertise as technical partners to a hybrid Additive Manufacturing (AM) project through the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).
Fueled by a $4 million award from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, this new program is oriented toward accelerating the production rate & driving down the cost using thermoplastic and thermoset materials in aerospace and defense applications.
The technologies employed would be the latest Additive Manufacturing techniques, such as Fused Granulate Fabrication (FGF) and Direct Ink Writing (DIW), combined with optimized tool paths and rigorous testing of the materials.
Complementary to each other and with other tools at ORNL, these technologies will be used to develop a scalable process that can enable the processing of high-performance polymers and resins required for manufacturing durable aerospace components.
Software optimization for generating tool paths from ORNL and rigorous material validation processes from ACI will ensure high-quality and reliable production. Besides reducing production times, the project will address one of the largest challenges faced in aerospace and defense manufacturing: Custom tools & components’ high cost and long lead times.
The project deals with a system that integrates 2 part resin & pellet-fed material extrusion tech for operating performance-grade thermoplastic polymers & modern thermoset resin inks like epoxies & vinyl esters. The system is curated to gain build volumes of 360 ft³ by portraying challenging process controls concurrently with JuggerBot 3D’s Additive Manufacturing process.
This collaboration will transform intricate tools and components in aerospace and defense for faster & efficient solutions. It supports the futuristic goals of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL): Modernizing manufacturing technologies with a mission-critical application.
The research engineer at MSU’s ACI – Hunter Watts explains that “In an industry that demands rapid results, transitioning from a six-figure investment in a mold that takes 12-18 months to produce to one that takes only a few weeks at a fraction of the cost is a significant enabler across the U.S. We are excited about the opportunity to partner with JuggerBot 3D and everyone involved to accelerate not only this technology but also the adoption of this groundbreaking manufacturing process.”
Author: Nagarjun M
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