Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and Lincoln Electric have confirmed their continued collaboration on large-scale robotic additive-manufacturing (AM) technology.

The new agreement builds upon ORNL and Lincoln Electric’s previous developments by extending AM to new materials, “leveraging data analytics and enabling the rapid manufacture of metal components at rates in excess of 100lb per hr”.

These developments will focus on increasing throughput while lowering costs and improving the quality of large-scale AM metallic structures for a variety of industrial applications.

ORNL’s Moe Khaleel (www.ornl.gov) said: “Working with Lincoln Electric is an important step in advancing manufacturing in the USA.

About 60-80% of moulds for the manufacture of metallic components are produced overseas.

“With this new collaboration, US manufacturers will be able to highlight their ability to manufacture tools, dies and moulds additively with reduced costs and lead times, while maintaining speed and a quality build.”

Tom Matthews, Lincoln Electric vice-president for technology and R&D, said: “We have successfully partnered with the Manufacturing Demonstration Team at ORNL over the last three years to develop industry-leading metal additive technologies.

“Together, we will continue to advance the technical boundaries of additive manufacturing, as Lincoln Electric commercialises this innovative manufacturing capability, which will benefit a broad array of sectors.”

The Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at ORNL is supported by the Department of Energy’s Advanced Manufacturing Office.

This supports early-stage research to advance innovation in US manufacturing and to promote American economic growth and energy security.

Lincoln Electric is a leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, robotic arc welding systems, plasma and oxyfuel cutting equipment.

With headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, it has 60 manufacturing locations, including operations and joint ventures in 19 countries and a world-wide network of distributors and sales offices covering more than 160 countries.