MARS Center grows LFAM capabilities with JuggerBot 3D Tradesman Series

Weber State University’s (WSU, Ogden, Utah, U.S.) Miller Advanced Research & Solutions (MARS) Center have acquired JuggerBot 3D’s (Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.) Tradesman Series P3-44 pellet-fed large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM) system.

The AM OEM’s Tradesman P3-44 is capable of processing a wide range of advanced materials in pellet form, including commodity, engineered and high-performance thermoplastics, and composites with a variety of additives, including chopped glass or carbon fiber, natural fibers, minerals, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and more.

According to JuggerBot 3D, with the machine acquisition, MARS also purchased a large volume of Airtech International Inc.’s (Huntington Beach, Calif., U.S.) Dahltram I-350CF (PEI 20% CF) which stems from work JuggerBot 3D has performed over the past year to develop critical process parameters and material qualification on its LFAM system. 

Through the purchase, WSU’s MARS Center intends to print tooling for high-temperature composites and 3D printed end products using advanced materials. Using this equipment alongside other systems found at the facility will achieve the center’s goal of addressing industry deficiencies in high-temperature composites supporting hypersonic vehicles, rocket motors, and other energy and space applications. 

“JuggerBot’s printer meets a significant need for the MARS Center,” Benjamin Garcia, executive director of the MARS Center, says. “We are excited by the process controls of the system and performance capability of the Tradesman printer to further our efforts with key industry partners.”

Northern Utah is a hub for defense and aerospace manufacturing. The state’s core competencies include design, composites manufacturing, software and control systems, sophisticated testing, and repair and maintenance. JuggerBot 3D’s pellet extrusion system can efficiently fabricate key components at low cost with high-performance materials to support these efforts. The printing system ensures a controlled and consistent environment for AM while simultaneously tracking key performance parameters. The Tradesman Series 3D printing system can also produce parts that sustain high temperature and high strength for applications in composite tooling and final part components.

JuggerBot 3D and Weber State University’s MARS center, working with Utah Advanced Materials Manufacturing Initiative (UAMMI), are presenting at the SAMPE Utah Chapter’s Wasatch Front Material Expo in West Sandy, Utah, on March 20, 2024. Following this, on March 21, both companies will be joined by Continuous Composites (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, U.S.) and Airtech at the MARS Center for an open house with machine demonstrations, facility tours and the opportunity to meet with industry leaders.