JuggerBot 3D LLC, a specialist in large-format additive manufacturing techniques, has introduced its collaboration with Oak Ridge Nationwide Laboratory (ORNL) and Mississippi State College’s Superior Composites Institute (MSU ACI) as a part of a $4 million hybrid additive manufacturing venture funded by the Air Drive Analysis Laboratory (AFRL). This congressional award, introduced in February 2024 and funded by the Workplace of the Below Secretary of Protection for Analysis and Engineering Manufacturing Expertise (OSD(R&E)), is geared toward advancing large-scale hybrid AM to allow the manufacturing of quicker, cheaper tooling crucial for the Protection and Aerospace industries.
The brand new venture entails the event of a system integrating two-part resin and pellet-fed materials extrusion applied sciences to course of performance-grade thermoplastic polymers and superior thermoset resin inks, together with epoxies and vinyl esters. The system, designed to achieve construct volumes of 360 ft³, will reveal crucial course of controls synonymous with JuggerBot 3D’s additive applied sciences. Set to be accomplished by December 2025, it’ll proceed by way of a number of improvement phases, together with system improvement, complete modeling, and superior software path improvement.
Strategic Partnership for Superior Additive Manufacturing
ORNL will apply its experience in Fused Granulate Fabrication (FGF) and Direct Ink Writing (DIW) to reinforce software path technology software program, enabling the simultaneous processing of thermoplastics and thermosets. This collaboration builds on earlier profitable initiatives, together with work on the Bead Characterization System (BCS) and JuggerBot 3D’s Materials Card improvement. MSU ACI will lead system-level validation, conducting rigorous materials testing to make sure the reliability and effectiveness of the developed course of parameters for each thermoplastic and thermoset supplies.
Hunter Watts, Analysis Engineer at MSU ACI, emphasised the venture’s transformative potential: “Transitioning from a mildew that takes 12-18 months and a six-figure funding to provide, to at least one that takes just a few weeks at a fraction of the associated fee, is a major enabler throughout the U.S.” Watts additionally praised the collaborative nature of the venture, stating, “We’re excited concerning the alternative to companion with JuggerBot 3D and everybody concerned to speed up not solely this expertise but additionally the adoption of this groundbreaking manufacturing course of.”
Giant-Format Additive Manufacturing in Focus
Speedy Fusion not too long ago launched the Apollo system. This machine makes use of pellet-based expertise to allow the manufacturing of sizable parts effectively and cost-effectively. Key to its performance is the power to course of a variety of sturdy supplies, reminiscent of polypropylene and polycarbonate, making it appropriate for numerous industrial wants. The Apollo system is ready to reinforce manufacturing capacities, streamlining the manufacture of large-scale elements.
Elsewhere, Oak Ridge Nationwide Laboratory (ORNL) is leveraging additive manufacturing to provide large-scale hydropower turbine parts. Funded by the Division of Vitality, this venture underscores the crucial position of superior manufacturing in decreasing the time and price related to producing advanced infrastructure parts.
JuggerBot 3D’s collaboration with ORNL and Mississippi State College’s Superior Composites Institute builds on focusing at integrating hybrid AM applied sciences to handle related challenges within the Protection and Aerospace sectors. The convergence of those initiatives displays a broader motion throughout the trade in the direction of optimizing manufacturing processes for large-scale, high-demand purposes.
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Featured picture reveals the JuggerBot 3D group and companions from MSU ACI showcasing the Tradesman Collection P3-44 system at RAPID + TCT 2024. Picture by way of JuggerBot 3D.
