Even that BAAM, however, may soon be upstaged – by another BAAM recently installed at the MDF. This new BAAM is being modified to 3D print taller objects with multiple materials. Provided by manufacturer Cincinnati Inc. under a cooperative research and development agreement, the new BAAM will have a build area of 13 x 6.5 x 8 feet, enabling taller objects than the first BAAM, which has a build area of 20 x 8 x 6 feet.
“Typically, you might want to have a different set of properties on the surface of a part versus internally,” he explained. “With our current system, it is very difficult to make that transition. You might, for instance, want to switch from carbon fiber-filled thermoplastic to glass fiber-filled thermoplastic to anything in between.”
Until now, the BAAM has mostly been used to 3D print tough materials such as ABS or carbon fiber composites. With the new system, however, not only will researchers be able to 3D print with more than one material at a time, they’ll have more of an ability to experiment and to develop new materials, including biomaterials made from bamboo, poplar, flax and cellulose, in collaboration with the Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office and BioEnergy Science Center.
“Once we have the multi-materials capability in place, it’s a completely new game,” Kunc said.
“The flexibility, versatility, and adaptability of additive manufacturing makes it possible for design engineers to push the envelope of part design,” said Carey Chen, CEO of Cincinnati Incorporated. “Large-part additive advances this new wave of manufacturing and it’s great to work with partners who are as enthusiastic about it as we are.”
In addition to the build size and the multi-material capabilities, the new BAAM will have several other improvements, including built-in electronics and controls and advanced safety systems. The 3D printer also won’t have a crossbeam at the top, allowing for taller objects and enabling users to slide parts out easily once they’re finished printing. Discuss in the BAAM forum at 3DPB.com.
[Source/Images: ORNL]