Tooling technologies positioned for speed, control
Tooling is one of the most rapidly evolving segments of the composites industry, as new technologies and processes like 3D printing, OOA infusion, thermoplastic composites reshape how molds are made.

Industrialized continuous fiber composite printing in Delft
CEAD offers large builds with speed, precision, low-cost extrusion and continuous fiber.

Thermwood and Bell collaborate on 3D-printed helicopter blade mold
Thermwood employed its new 60-mm melt core technology to additively manufacture the autoclave-capable, carbon fiber-reinforced tool.

TAHOE Boats' T16 uses 3D printed tooling from Thermwood
Thermwood’s Large Scale Additive Manufacturing (LSAM) system was utilized to custom-print the tool used to manufacture the boat’s hull.

Thermwood announces larger melt core for its LSAM systems
The higher output capability of the 60-mm melt core enables 3D printing of layers with 250 ft or more bead length with most polymers.

The markets: Boatbuilding and marine (2019)
NMMA’s top trends for 2018 include more accessible and versatile recreational watercraft for families, an increase in saltwater and freshwater fishing boat sales, and increased sales for cruisers. Electric propulsion and 3D-printed hulls and molds are also gaining momentum.

Boeing and Thermwood
The Boeing Co. (Chicago, IL, US) and Thermwood Corp. (Dale, IN, US) have employed additive manufacturing technology to produce a large, single-piece tool for the 777X program.

Thermwood and US Navy explore additive manufacturing for ships and ship systems
The validation program centered on printing an unclassified scale nose of a submarine using Thermwood’s Large Scale Additive Manufacturing (LSAM) system.

Boeing partners with Thermwood on 3D printed tool for 777X
The tool was printed as a single piece from 20% carbon fiber reinforced ABS using the Vertical Layer Print system.

CAMX 2018 preview: Thermwood
Thermwood (Dale, IN, US) is featuring a mold fabricated using its new Large Scale Additive Manufacturing (LSAM) system, which can perform additive and subtractive manufacturing functions on the same machine.

Sustainable, inline recycling of carbon fiber
Shocker Composites and R&M International are developing a supply chain for recycled CF with zero knockdown vs. virgin fiber, lower cost and, eventually, lengths delivering structural properties close to continuous fiber.

CAMX 2017: Highlights from the floor
3D printing and nanotechnology developments promise to cut time and cost in composite structures production while recycling and sustainability continue to grow in importance.

Thermwood 3D prints large boat hull pattern
Thermwood uses its LSAM additive manufacturing technology to fabricate a 3,000-lb/1,363-kg plug for a boat hull. The project proves the viability of additive manufacturing to help reduce marine composites fabrication costs.  

Tooling: 3D printing’s “killer app”
If 3D printing can be scaled to make tools for composite auto body panels ... it will be transformative

CAMX 2017 preview: Thermwood
Thermwood Corp. (Dale, IN, US) is exhibiting its line of 3- and 5-axis CNC routers as well as its new Large Scale Additive Manufacturing (LSAM) systems. 

Techmer PM collaborates with industry partners on 3D-printed tooling technology
Techmer PM custom formulated high-temperature polymer materials with carbon fiber that ORNL used to 3D-print the tools.

JEC World 2017 exhibit preview
JEC World will be held March 14-16 in Paris. CW previews some of the products and technologies that will be at the show.

Thermwood, Navy’s FRC East sign cooperative agreement
The two-year, joint technology development effort will center on Thermwood’s emerging Large Scale Additive Manufacturing (LSAM) technology.