Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have used Cincinnati Incorporated’s CAMX-award winning Big Area Additive Manufacturing (BAAM) technology, to 3D print an entire table that contains 10 percent bamboo fiber composite. The purpose of this, according to ORNL’s Soydan Ozcan said, was to determine whether bio-based feedstock materials are feasible in additive manufacturing.
According to the ORNL investigators behind the experiments, this bamboo-polylactic acid (PLA) 3D printing material offers strong structural properties and is environmentally friendly. Bamboo grows extremely quickly, absorbs CO2, does not require chemicals, and even prevents erosion. These factors, combined with the versatility of the grass, make bamboo an attractive option for environmentally conscious additive manufacturers, who could use the newly developed bamboo-based pellets as a substitute for other, more traditional printing materials.
“We are investigating the use of different types of cellulose fibers to develop feedstock materials with better mechanical performance that can increase the number of available composites and opportunities for sustainable practices,” Ozcan said.
