Under the agreement, Strangpresse, a Hapco Inc. affiliate, may make, use, or sell the lab’s patented developments of materials, processes and controls that enable the manufacture of parts much larger than current standards.

The additive manufacturing agreement is the latest in a series of ORNL advances following printing of a Shelby Cobra at DOE’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at ORNL. The Cobra debuted at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in January. Lonnie Love, leader of ORNL’s Manufacturing Systems Research group, said the speed of next-generation additive manufacturing offers new opportunities for the automotive, aerospace and prototyping industries.

Our goal is to demonstrate the potential of large-scale additive manufacturing as an innovative and viable manufacturing technology. We want to improve digital manufacturing solutions for the automotive industry.

—Lonnie Love

Strangpresse LLC, founded in 2014, was formed to research, develop, and commercialize fully controllable, lightweight, thermoplastic extruders that are the cornerstone of 3-D printing. Strangpresse supplies extruders and other equipment for research and development in additive manufacturing to industry leaders.

A portfolio of ORNL patents associated with large scale additive manufacturing is available for licensing on a non-exclusive basis. ORNL and UT-Battelle work closely with licensees to ensure successful commercialization of licensed technologies. More information concerning licensing of ORNL technologies can be obtained at www.ornl.gov/partnerships/technology-licensing.