Energy Department to Fund 3D Printer Project by GE Research, Voxeljet

Voxeljet and General Electric’s research business have teamed up under a $14.9 million Department of Energy award to develop and market the Advanced Casting Cell, a 3D printer for large sand-casting molds used by the wind and hydro energy sectors.

The ACC program is expected to support the United States’ transition to clean power, 3D Printing Industry reported Tuesday.

Voxeljet is part of a consortium supporting the program. The group’s members also include Oak Ridge National Laboratory and GE’s hydro, offshore and onshore wind divisions.

The ACC could reduce production time for key components from up to 10 weeks to 2 weeks and costs by 20 percent. Such parts are said to weigh between 10 and 60 tons.

One component planned for ACC printing is a 16-ton rotor hub to connect a wind turbine’s blades with the shaft. Another project to be supported by the program is the 10-ton Francis runner part for hydropower turbines.

An ACC training program is underway.