Invention Reference Number
We developed an improved Additive Manufacturing – Compression Molding (AM-CM) system through an integrated analysis framework for high-rate production with high tailored performance. The technology provides a highly automated, manufacturing process for thermoplastic composite that combines the benefits of Additive Manufacturing and Compression Molding (AM-CM) to produce high-performance functional composite structures at automotive production rates (i.e., 3-minutes/part (1.5 ft x 1.5 ft)). We aim to optimize the AM-CM process for precise controls over microstructures (local fiber orientation and multi-materials) in composite preforms before molding it into a high-performance composite in a short cycle time, both experimentally and numerically. The goal of the current quarter milestone was to create a numerical model for the whole AM-CM process to achieve a precise high-rate manufacturing process.
Contact
To learn more about this technology, email partnerships@ornl.gov or call 865-574-1051.
