(ORNL: Oak Ridge, TN) -- Recent advancements at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) show that 3D-printed metal molds offer a faster, more cost-effective and flexible approach to producing large composite components for mass-produced vehicles than traditional tooling methods.

The research, conducted at the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF) at ORNL, confirms that large-scale additive manufacturing is well-suited for creating complex metal molds, with efficiencies that could accelerate the adoption of lightweight composite materials in the automotive sector.

“This kind of technology can help reindustrialize the U.S. and boost its competitiveness by creating smarter, faster ways to build essential tools,” says lead researcher Andrzej Nycz, with ORNL’s Manufacturing Robotics and Controls group. “It brings us closer to an automated, intelligent production process.”

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