Apr 13, 2018 | By David
The pioneering work of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), part of the U.S. Department of Energy, in the 3D printing field is something that we’ve reported on with enthusiasm before. Its latest development is a partnership with Magnum Venus Products (MVP), which has produced the first commercially available medium/large-scale thermoset 3D printer, in collaboration with the ORNL. The machine was installed at the ORNL Manufacturing Demonstration Facility in Tennessee, where it will be used for a broad range of different crucial applications.
(source: MVP)
The new technology presents a cost-effective solution that uses 3D printing as a technique to print structures and molds. Collaborating with ORNL enabled MVP to develop the software and hardware required to create a 3D printer that was capable of printing large-scale thermosets for molding. Thermosets make use of special chemistries that are irreversibly cured from a pre-polymer or resin, and offer much higher performance than regular thermoplastics in terms of their resistance to heat and impact, as well as low deformability.
According to Bob Vanderhoff, President and CEO Magnum Venus Products, ''Procurement departments will...enjoy shortened lead time on crucial molds – allowing for rapid deployment. This was made possible through ORNL slicing software that allows the integration of multivariate print process parameters.''
(source: ORNL)
Unique features of this new thermoset 3D printing system include a state-of-the-art gantry system, which is specifically tailored for the production of molds and other thermoset structures. Also, unlike many other 3D printers which require additional labor to shift between preparation, printing and post-processing, this new MVP 3D printing system has an efficient roll-in/roll-out bed configuration. With larger projects that require extensive post-processing or preparation, this will dramatically increase productivity, as it allows the printer to continuously operate while pre- and post-processing operations are performed on an additional print bed outside of the machine.
Its total build volume is 16 inches (40.6cm) x 8 inches (20.3cm) x 42 inches (1.06m), and it can print up to 50 inches (127cm) per second, depending on the material used. The total deposition rate is around 10 lbs (4.5kg) /hr, and it is generally capable of printing with a resolution of up to 6mm (0.24 inches), with a larger resolution possible depending on the settings used. The build platform can hold up to 1,000 lb (450kg), and the 3D printer has a repeatability of around 0.005 inches (0.127mm). Its large footprint can be easily scaled to multiple sizes, depending on the 3D print job.
(source: BusinessWire)
According to Moe Khaleel, ORNL Associate Laboratory Director for Energy and Environmental Sciences, ''This collaboration is important for accelerating the pace with which new technologies can be successfully commercialized, leading to a larger range of applications and performance criteria for additively manufactured components.''
MVP was established over 60 years ago, and it is an industry leader in the development of systems required to process composite materials. Alongside this thermoset 3D printing system and other technologies designed for composites, MVP also has equipment that supports the foam and polyurethane industries including poly-ureas, adhesives, and epoxies. It has clients in industries including automotive, aerospace, and transportation.
The new thermoset 3D printer will be located at the ORNL’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, which is supported by the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Advanced Manufacturing Office.
Posted in 3D Printing Technology
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@Rich Big ;)
Rich wrote at 4/13/2018 6:21:02 PM:
Build volume in inches or feet?
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