CompositesWorld
Issue link: https://cw.epubxp.com/i/742140
NEWS 21 CompositesWorld.com Big Step in 3D Printing LAST-A-FOAM ® TOOLING BOARDS WHERE GREAT IDEAS TAKE SHAPE. COMMON APPLICATIONS: • High-temperature curing prepregs • Master plugs and molds • Vacuum forming • Limited-run tooling • Monolithic tools and molds Achieve consistent and predictable results with General Plastics' LAST-A-FOAM ® tooling boards. Our rigid, closed-cell, grain-free urethane boards are engineered to be dimensionally stable and uniform in their thermal and mechanical properties. With excellent machining characteristics, these are delivered to the customer fully cured and ready-to-use. (253) 343-0177 | (866) 697-2574 www.generalplastics.com A N N I V E R S A R Y 0 2 HPC Charter Advertiser Manufacturing (WHAM), the machine would be an order of magnitude faster and larger than current large-format additive manufacturing systems and could be commer- cially available sometime in the next 18-24 months. The WHAM system includes automatic exchange of the printing extruder with a high-speed, 5-axis milling attachment, enabling conventional subtractive finishing operations. The machine will be developed initially to apply Techmer's (Clinton, TN, US) ABS polymer with 10% chopped carbon fiber reinforcement. Tino Oldani, president and CEO of Ingersoll, says, "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." Targeted end-markets include wind energy, aerospace, automotive and defense. Ingersoll has entered the WHAM development process through a cooperative R&D; agreement with ORNL. "Our collaboration with Ingersoll on the development of a 3D 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," says Bill Peter, director of the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at ORNL.