Stratasys to collaborate on commercialising additive manufacturing technology

The ultimate goal of the collaboration is to reduce the energy usage of US industry, commercialise new products more quickly and revitalise the global competitiveness of US manufacturing. "The research and development done at ORNL's Manufacturing Demonstration Facility allows us to explore innovative ideas in next generation materials and manufacturing technologies to help US industry," said Dr Lonnie Love, distinguished research scientist at ORNL. "This project with Stratasys will lead to commercialisation of new products that will ultimately make US manufacturing more competitive and energy efficient." Beyond reducing energy use via lighter-weight transportation vehicles, the additive manufacturing or 3D printing process itself is said to be more efficient than traditional subtractive manufacturing processes, such as machining parts or machining production tools and moulds. "The additive process can reduce the energy impact of manufacturing," commented Stratasys vice president of Direct Digital Manufacturing, Jeff DeGrange. "It reduces material consumption, waste streams, large investments into metal tooling, warehouse costs and transportation costs. You don't have to bring in material just to machine 75% of it away as with traditional manufacturing. Additive manufacturing deposits material only where it's needed to grow a part." DeGrange continued: "The initiative with Oak Ridge presents a significant opportunity, particularly in the aerospace and automotive industries, to enable lightweight high performance products to reach the market quicker and at lower costs."