The ExOne Company announced a collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the largest U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) open science laboratory, to make further advancements in 3D binder-jetting additive manufacturing. The project is initially targeted on the development of technology for new binder systems, focusing on optimizing chemistry and process parameters for ExOne’s sand and metal systems. This includes leveraging ORNL’s instrumentation and advanced data-analysis methodologies.

The collaboration will leverage the DOE’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF) at ORNL and its efficiencies in instrumentation capabilities. In addition, the effort will optimize binder development for H13 tool steel. ORNL’s initiative targeting the production of 500 tools and dies by 2022 for the molding, stamping and forging industries is expected to establish binder jetting as the leading low-cost method for the fabrication of advanced tooling.

ExOne is a global provider of 3D-printing machines, 3D-printed products and services to industrial customers. Binder jetting maintains higher productivity and lower operating costs than other AM technologies.