Sandia National Laboratories has expanded its manufacturing capacity for additively manufactured ceramic components. With the acquisition of a second CeraFab 3D printer from Lithoz, the research institute is doubling its capabilities for manufacturing complex ceramic structures.
The new printer uses the Lithography-based Ceramic Manufacturing (LCM) process. This technology enables the production of highly complex ceramic parts that could not be realized using conventional methods. Sandia had already achieved considerable success with the first Lithoz printer. The production costs for certain components could be reduced to a tenth.
A major advantage of the LCM process is the drastic shortening of development cycles. Whereas the production of prototypes used to take months, comparable parts can now be produced within a week. This not only reduces costs, but also minimizes time risks in development.
Shawn Allan, Vice President of Lithoz America, emphasizes the importance of the technology: “By combining LCM technology with the attractive material properties of AM ceramics, Sandia has already opened the door to the production of previously impossible ceramic shapes and parts.”
The CeraFab S65, the model chosen by Sandia, is designed for industrial series production. It is characterized by a high degree of automation, which further increases efficiency. The flexibility of 3D printing also allows for quick design adjustments without the need for costly tool changeovers.
Sandia plans to use the expanded capacities for intensive research and development work in the field of additively manufactured ceramics. One focus will be on the optimization and scaling of ceramic subcomponents. The technical advantages of AM ceramics, in particular the design freedom and robustness of the end products, could open up completely new fields of application.
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