Programs

Additive Technologies

3D printing is reshaping the manufacturing industry by enhancing tool and fixture
development, reducing prototyping costs, and optimizing part production. Our Additive Technology Adoption Program offers comprehensive 3D printing support to small and medium-sized Connecticut manufacturers, through demonstrations, training and adoption assistance.

Revolutionize Your Manufacturing with the Power of Additive

Harness the cost-effective efficiency of leading-edge equipment. Unleash the potential of novel materials that yield components surpassing even the most conventional manufacturing methods.

Maximizing Efficiency in Material & Energy Usage

Embrace 3D printing's waste-minimizing layers, saving energy and materials compared to traditional methods.

Accelerate Prototyping and Iteration Cycles

AM is your economical solution for rapid prototyping, delivering substantial cost savings compared to expensive CNC milling processes.

Streamlined Small Batch Production Efficiency

For small-batch needs, 3D printing offers unmatched speed and cost-efficiency, trumping traditional mold setups.

Technologies

01. Directed Energy Deposition

Direct Energy Deposition (DED) is an applied additive manufacturing technology that involves precisely depositing material, typically in the form of metal powders or wire, onto a substrate using a focused energy source, such as a laser (or electron beam). DED offers several key benefits, including the ability to repair and enhance existing components, build complex structures with reduced waste, and achieve high material efficiency. It is widely utilized in aerospace, automotive, and energy industries, revolutionizing manufacturing processes and enabling rapid prototyping, customization, cost-effective production of intricate metal parts, and efficient repair of damaged components. Hybrid DED - subtractive and additive - is a powerful tool.

02. Wire ARC ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

This technology uses an electric arc as the heat source to melt wire when depositing material. WAAM enables the production of large-scale metal parts without traditional manufacturing bottlenecks. It's an efficient method for creating customized parts and repairing damaged components, offering reduced lead time and material waste compared to traditional manufacturing methods.

03. Binder Jetting

This approach uses an industrial printhead to selectively deposit a liquid binding agent onto a thin layer of powder particles to build one-of-a-kind complex parts and tooling. The combination of print media and binder is tailored to the individual application. Examples include: foundry sand, ceramics, metal or composites.

04. Bound Metal FUsed Filament Fabrication

Combining the principles of Metal Injection Molding (MIM) and Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), this technology uses metal powder encapsulated in a wax matrix as its filament feedstock. This filament is extruded in the same way as a traditional polymer 3D printer would extrude plastic filament, the resulting green state part goes through a wash, then a sintering cycle. Once sintered you will have a solid metal part. Examples include tooling, molds & dies, metal prototyping and even consumer ready end use parts. The most noteworthy benefit of this technology is its price point, being significantly less than other metal 3DP technologies such as SLM (Selective Laser Melting).

05. ADVANCED POLYMER 3DP Carbon fiber reinforced (CFR)

Strong, resilient, impact resistant, load bearing, are just a few key words that describe Carbon Fiber Reinforced 3D printed parts. This technology uses a Nylon print media with chopped carbon fiber, this composite matrix allows for the creation of strong end use parts. Additionally, continuous CRF enables the printing of parts with strength comparable to aluminum. Examples include molds and dies, load bearing and impact resistant parts. Furthermore, other engineering-grade materials enhance these 3D printed parts, offering features like flame retardancy and ESD resistance for electronic assemblies.

06. Advanced Polymer 3DP SLA (Stereolithography)

When precision matters SLA (stereolithography) shines. This technology uses photopolymer resins cured by light, in very fine layer increments to achieve geometries that are unimaginable through traditional subtractive manufacturing or even FDM 3D printing. An extensive catalog of engineering-grade materials caters to diverse applications, from flame-retardancy and ESD-resistant components to rigid and even flexible rubber-like parts. Examples include molds, dies, fixtures, end use consumer goods, prototyping, watertight components to applications in fashion and apparel allowing for small run customized items.