LSAM RESEARCH LABORATORY AT PURDUE UNIVERSITY
A collaboration between Purdue University and Thermwood Corporation
BACKGROUND
A relatively new technology, large scale additive manufacturing of thermoplastic composites is slowly finding its way into major manufacturing with the potential of, nothing less than, revolutionizing certain key manufacturing processes. The single most successful version of this technology has been developed by an Indiana based company, Thermwood Corporation.
Purdue University’s Composites Manufacturing and Simulation Center, also based in Indiana, is one of the most prominent and knowledgeable composites research organizations operating today, staffed with highly experienced and in some cases world renowned experts in this science.
The Thermwood LSAM Research Laboratory at Purdue University is a collaboration between Purdue University and Thermwood with the purpose of working together to further enhance, promote and advance large scale additive manufacturing technology. The two organizations, together, have the ability to generate positive results that neither could achieve independently, that will clearly benefit large segments of manufacturing industry.
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
Purdue University is a public land-grant research university in West Lafayette, Indiana, and the flagship campus of the Purdue University system. The university was founded in 1869 after Lafayette businessman John Purdue donated land and money to establish a college of science, technology, and agriculture in his name.
Purdue is also known for its research efforts. Few universities can match the depth and breadth of Purdue's research capabilities and talent.
COMPOSITES MANUFACTURING AND SIMULATION CENTER
CMSC at Purdue University leads in cutting-edge composites manufacturing simulation for high-rate and high-performance applications across aerospace, automotive and other sectors. CMSC is dedicated to the future of composites manufacturing, including the promises of additive manufacturing.
Sitting side-by-side, CMSC team members have capabilities spanning manufacturing, modeling and simulation, performance prediction, characterization, experimental validation, design and prototyping, including rapid fabrication of composites tooling.
With this full complement of capabilities, CMSC is the locus for composites design, manufacturing and simulation.
THERMWOOD CORPORATION
Thermwood is an over 50 year old high technology development and manufacturing company with some impressive technological achievements. They were the first company to develop a microprocessor based CNC control system in the early 1970s and the first to offer a CNC control of any kind for sale commercially anywhere in the world. They developed the first CNC routers and are currently the technology and market leader in the emerging Large Scale Additive Manufacturing industry. Virtually all Large Scale Additive Manufacturing systems successfully operating in industry today utilize Thermwood developed additive manufacturing technology.
LOCATION
The physical Thermwood LSAM Research Laboratory at Purdue University is located in the Composites Manufacturing and Simulation Center facility in West Lafayette, Indiana. This facility has been equipped with a 10x5 foot Thermwood LSAM Additive Printer and a matching LSAM Additive Trimmer plus diagnostic and test equipment, including the latest additive manufacturing software and simulation systems. The Laboratory also has free access to several large additive manufacturing systems installed at Thermwood’s demonstration laboratory in Southern Indiana, including a large, dual gantry 10x20 foot print and trim system, capable of printing horizontally and vertically at rates of over 500 pounds per hour, the fastest possible today. This gives them access to the widest range of additive manufacturing equipment of any research organization in the world.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Thermwood LSAM Research Laboratory at Purdue University working through the Composites Manufacturing and Simulation Center will work directly with manufacturing companies to assist in applying additive manufacturing and simulation technology to their specific operations, will assist polymer companies in developing printable polymers for use in additive manufacturing, will provide assistance and guidance to companies wanting to utilize this technology and will continue to develop and improve simulation software for the additive process.