Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have introduced an innovation in additive manufacturing by integrating origami-inspired 3D printing techniques with hybrid composites – materials made from mixed reinforcing components. By eliminating the need for molds to fabricate a part, this process produces lightweight, cost-efficient structures with faster build times and greater adaptability.
Traditional composite manufacturing, while highly effective for producing strong, durable components, can sometimes involve long lead times and high mold costs that limit design flexibility. The ORNL method uses hybrid materials in an additive process without molds to produce flat-to-foldable structures that merge flexible and rigid components into a single design.
Pour en savoir plus : Oak Ridge Scientists Eliminate Industrial Molds Using Advanced Origami Printing
