CREDIT: THERMWOOD
Thermwood will demonstrate the capabilities of its large scale additive manufacturing (LSAM) technology by live-printing a double-sided RTM mold for an underwater tidal turbine blade each day of JEC World 2025 in Paris, France on March 4-6. This will all happen in the LIVE Demo Area located in Hall 6. The mold pairs will be printed on the LSAM AP 510 Additive Printer using advanced carbon fiber reinforced materials, with a different material supplier featured each day (SABIC and Techmer PM). Once printed, these mold pairs will be shipped from the event, machined, and subsequently used to produce actual tidal turbine blades.
In addition to live printing throughout the day, Thermwood will also present an interactive demonstration twice per day that will allow participants to see firsthand how LSAM technology prints and finishes large-scale thermoplastic parts with precision, speed, and efficiency. Additionally, the company will highlight the wide range of material options and design flexibility available, as well as some of LSAM’s patented features. Topics covered will be the collaborative projects, ongoing research initiatives, and case studies that help accelerate advancements in comprehensive knowledge and future innovation within the field.
Eduardo Barocio, director of Composites Additive Manufacturing and Simulation (CAMS) Consortium at Purdue University's Composite Manufacturing & Simulation Center will also be on hand to demonstrate their Additive3D software, a powerful tool that not only simulates workflow, but also predicts the printing and as-manufactured performance of parts produced through extrusion deposition additive manufacturing. Participants will have the opportunity to pose questions to industry experts and gain insights into how LSAM can elevate and optimize their production process. This live demonstration will help bridge the gap between theory and practical application and help attendees understand the full potential of LSAM and how it can help enhance productivity and innovation.
The LSAM Additive Printer features a single fixed gantry, 5ftx10ft moving table, 4ft maximum print height and a maximum print temperature of 450°F (232°C).
LSAM Additive Printer systems are single gantry, moving table configurations and are available in two table sizes, 5ftx5ft and 5ftx10ft. The 5ftx10ft table is available in two configurations, 5ft wide with 10ft of front to back motion and 10ft wide with 5ft of front to back motion. Choice of configuration depends on several factors, such as fitting into existing factory floor space.
The specially designed, highly rigid tab and slot, structural steel gantry also incorporates a fume extraction system that pulls print fumes through specially designed activated charcoal filters to remove them.
LSAM Additive Printers use the same print head mechanism as all the others, including the largest LSAM Systems. They also use the same Ultra 6 control.
The systems come standard with a single hopper polymer dryer for applications that don’t change print material very often. For installations that print a wider variety of materials, a dual hopper dryer is available as an option.
An enclosure that surrounds the machine is also available. The machine with the full enclosure can also be built to meet European CE standards.