CAMX 2017 preview: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL, Oak Ridge, TN, US) is showcasing several next-generation manufacturing technologies from the US Department of Energy’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at ORNL.
ORNL compression mold for Ford Motor Co.
ORNL structure made with bamboo-based bio-materials.
ORNL part made with poplar-based bio-material.
ORNL lightweight syntactic foam.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL, Oak Ridge, TN, US) is showcasing several next-generation manufacturing technologies from the US Department of Energy’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at ORNL. Included are additively manufactured, low-cost steel and polymer automotive compression molds designed to reduce traditional turnaround time for tooling, allowing for rapid, efficient prototyping. Also featured are bio-based feedstock materials combined with bio-polymer resin to create bamboo and poplar-based pellets, resulting in a more sustainable material that can be used for manufacturing molds, prototypes, appliances and furniture. Finally, lightweight syntactic foams comprised of a polymer matrix and hollow microspheres offer significant weight reduction and improved compressive strength. Booth A6.
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