GE Research has selected voxeljet, a German manufacturer of large-format 3D printers for 3D sand printing, as its partner as part of the award by the United States Department of Energy (DoE) of a contract worth USD 14.9 million for the development and commercialization of a large 3D printer with a sand binder, known as Advanced Casting Cell (ACC). The project aims to accelerate the U.S. transition to clean energy. In addition to voxeljet, GE Research also selected GE Hydro, GE Onshore Wind, Clemson University, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and Hodge Foundry as project partners.
The Advanced Casting Cell project was established to strengthen the U.S. manufacturing industry and expertise to increase domestic production of large, low net energy (NNS) metal components. The ACC device will be developed and implemented for the production of sand molds for the production of metal parts. With the development of ACC, the project includes digital creation of mold designs using a digital foundry, as well as completing a techno-economic analysis of cost and supply chain challenges.
The project aims to produce large-scale 3D printed sand molds for casting components of the GE Haliade-X offshore turbine weighing over 60 tons. voxeljet claims its technology has the potential to reduce overall hydropower costs by 20% and reduce lead times by four months. The project will also include optimizing the production of a 16-ton rotor hub using ACC, as well as developing a robotic welding process for the assembly of the over 10-ton Francis guide.
To ensure the successful implementation of ACC, an advanced manufacturing program is being established to develop the local workforce to train and engage employees on the specifics of 3D printing technology.\
Source: www.voxeljet.com