ORNL, Cincinnati partner to develop additive mfg.

Oak Ridge, Tennessee – The Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is partnering with Cincinnati Inc., a manufacturer of machine tools located in Harrison, Ohio, to develop a large-scale polymer additive manufacturing (3D printing) system.

 

The partnership aims to accelerate the commercialization of a new additive manufacturing machine that can print large polymer parts faster and more cheaply than current technologies. The partnership agreement supports the DOE’s Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative to increase the efficiency of the U.S. manufacturing sector and ensure that innovative clean energy technologies continue to be developed in America.

 

By building a system that is 200 to 500 times faster and capable of printing polymer components 10 times larger than today’s common additive machines – in sizes greater than one cubic meter – the ORNL-Cincinnati project could introduce significant new capabilities to the U.S. tooling sector, which in turn supports a wide range of industries. Access to such technology could strengthen domestic manufacturing of highly advanced components for the automotive, aerospace, appliance, robotics, and many other industries.

 

The cooperative research and development agreement was signed at the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF) established at ORNL by DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and funded through its Advanced Manufacturing Office. The MDF helps industry develop, demonstrate, and adopt new manufacturing technologies that reduce life-cycle energy and greenhouse-gas emissions, lower production costs, and create new products and opportunities for high-paying jobs.

 

The project will draw on Cincinnati’s experience in the design, manufacturing, and control of large-scale manufacturing systems, especially laser cutting systems and powdered metal compacting presses.

 

“As one of the oldest U.S. machine tool manufacturers, with continuous operation since 1898, we view this exciting opportunity as starting a new chapter in our history of serving U.S. manufacturing,” said Cincinnati CEO Andrew Jamison. “Out of this developmental partnership with ORNL, Cincinnati intends to lead the world in big area additive manufacturing machinery for both prototyping and production.” 

 

The partners will start by incorporating additive manufacturing technology with the machine base of Cincinnati’s laser cutting system, creating a prototype, large-scale additive manufacturing system. The research team will then integrate a high-speed cutting tool, pellet feed mechanism, and control software into the gantry system to offer additional capabilities.