The 3D printing industry is only becoming more exciting, as evidenced by an increasing number of new 3D printing processes from the likes of Carbon and XJet. A new partnership between Cosine Additive and the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) demonstrates that things are just getting warmed up, as the two partners will work to 3D print large composite parts at incredible rates.
The partnership will see Cosine and ORNL expand upon the capabilities of Cosine’s existing AM1 3D printer. With a build volume of 4 ft x 4 ft x 4 ft, the AM1 is able to 3D print objects at a rate of 10 lb/hr. Various options allow the printer to extrude at temperatures as high as 932°F onto an aluminum bed capable of reaching 392°F. As a result, the system can print composite materials, such as Techmer ES Electrafil filament, made from 90 percent polycarbonate and 10 percent carbon fiber.
ORNL has already aided in the invention of some pretty powerful 3D printing technology. Working with Local Motors and Cincinnati Inc., the DOE lab created the Big Area Additive Manufacturing (BAAM) platform, a composite 3D printer with a build envelope of 7 ft x 13 ft x 3 ft and a deposition rate of 40 lb/hr. In addition to extruding a carbon fiber-ABS composite. The BAAM has been used to 3D print Local Motors’ vehicles, a replica of a Shelby Cobra, a symbiotic off-road vehicle and more.
With ORNL, Cosine will improve the deposition rate of the AM1 and its ability to 3D print carbon fiber materials. Cosine has already demonstrated the ability to 3D print an object measuring 33 in x 8 in x 8 in and weighing 8.8 lb in 30 hours. Their partnership with ORNL will see the AM1 produce a part measuring more than 30 in x 30 in x 30 in and weighing 50 lb in less than eight hours.
Lonnie Love, ORNL group leader of manufacturing systems research, said of the partnership, “We are excited to partner with an innovative small business, such as Cosine Additive. Our hope is that this partnership, and the ensuing products, will help to excel new applications for additive manufacturing.”
Cosine has already partnered with another company called Essentium Materials to develop the EM1 3D printer, which uses electric fields to 3D print parts with stronger Z-axis properties. The addition of a partnership with ORNL suggests that Cosine is not only capable of producing industrial 3D printers, but possibly even machines capable of driving the progress of 3D printing overall.
Correction: This article previously stated that the BAAM features built-in CNC capabilities, which is not the case.