Ingersoll Machine Tools, Inc., has announced a partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to develop massive 3-D printers, leveraging the Department of Energy's Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at ORNL. Ingersoll, a supplier of large machine tools and processes, enters the 3-D printing world with the initial development of Wide and High Additive Manufacturing (WHAM) machines. "The machines represent a new class of extremely large 3-D printers capable of printing a wide range of composite plastics combined with the speed and precision of an aerospace grade machine tool," said an Ingersoll spokesperson.
Ingersoll's WHAM machines break new ground in the additive manufacturing (AM) industry for both size and speed. "With a standard work envelope of 23 feet W x 10 feet H x 46 feet L and target material deposition rate of 1,000 lbs./hr, WHAM machines will perform at an order of magnitude larger and faster than any printer currently on the market," said the spokesperson. Built on a platform of existing modular components, the machine size can be customized to various specifications. Ingersoll has experience developing machines with work zones as large as 40' W x 20' H x 250' L. The WHAM system includes automatic exchange of the printing extruder with a high-speed 5-axis milling attachment for conventional subtractive finishing operations.
Tino Oldani, President and CEO, Ingersoll Machine Tools, stated, "Our machine design expertise, combined with the ability to develop a complete process for our customers, makes WHAM a logical step forward. Our partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory gives us a huge advantage."
Ingersoll has entered the WHAM development process through a cooperative research and development agreement with ORNL in Tennessee. "ORNL is highly respected for advancing AM technology and its added experience is greatly accelerating the project," said the spokesperson.
Ingersoll's Mike Reese, Director of Sales, explained, "Working with Oak Ridge National Laboratory provides a fast track to match the current state of the art and take it to the next level as quickly as possible."
"Our collaboration with Ingersoll on the development of a 3-D printer that provides a volume not possible with current printers could open up new markets and applications in defense, energy and other areas of manufacturing. Ingersoll brings years of experience engineering massive equipment in the composites area, and we look forward to a successful partnership," said Bill Peter, acting Director of the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at ORNL.
This project is supported by DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy - Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO). AMO supports applied research, development and demonstration of new materials and processes for energy efficiency in manufacturing as well as platform technologies for the manufacturing of clean energy products.
For more information contact:
Ingersoll Machine Tools, Inc.
707 Fulton Ave.
Rockford, IL 61103
815-987-6000
WHAM@ingersoll.com
www.ingersoll.com
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
www.ornl.gov/manufacturing
SW & MW
Greg Kinney, President
Prosper Machine Tools
7415 Whitehall St., Suite 123
Richland Hills, TX 76118
682-626-5537
gkinney@prospermt.com
www.prospermachinetools.com