Techmer PM opens multimillion dollar composites production line to support large-scale AM 

Techmer PM has launched a new high‐speed, high-capacity twin-screw production line specifically designed to produce high‐quality, modified, carbon fiber‐reinforced polymers to support growing demand for 3D printed products.

In its latest report on composite additive manufacturing, SmarTech Analysis highlighted how rapidly growing demand of composite CFR/GFR materials are going to drive this segment of AM to new heights with the production of very large parts (both final parts and molds) for the aerospace, maritime and energy industries. This forecast is confirmed by this collaboration which involves and the primary stakeholders of the LFAM (large format additive manufacturing) market, including the three primary hardware manufacturers.

“We’re proud that this federal/private industry model is bringing a competitive edge to our industry and nation. Global competition is all about developing and applying new technologies in every industry sector,” said John Manuck, Techmer PM founder, chairman, and CEO, “Techmer is pleased to be working closely with ORNL and IACMI, both of which are playing critical roles in helping to complete this mission.”

While based on the fundamentals of material extrusion processes, large format additive manufacturing, an acronym that comprises all major large format technologies (BAAM, LSAM and WHAM), is becoming a 3D printing technology of its own right, with very unique peculiarities and complexities. As well as its own, very specific and rapidly growing, market.

This latest advancement also marks the continuing growth of a federal/private industry partnership that has involved a number of partners, including Techmer PM, the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI – The Composites Institute), academia, as well as machinery makers Cincinnati Inc., Thermwood Corp., and Ingersoll Machine Tools Inc., and other key members of the supply chain.