JuggerBot 3D has initiated a collaborative hybrid additive manufacturing project with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). This project, funded by a $4 million congressional award through the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, seeks to revolutionize the production of composite manufacturing tooling for the defense and aerospace industries.
Collaboration with MSU and ORNL
To advance the project, JuggerBot 3D has brought in Mississippi State University’s Advanced Composites Institute (ACI) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) for their expertise in Fused Granulate Fabrication (FGF) and Direct Ink Writing (DIW) composite manufacturing. These institutions will work alongside JuggerBot to establish precise material deposition parameters for high-performance thermoplastic and thermoset resins.
Project Aims and Technological Development
The main goal is to develop and validate a system that integrates both pellet-fed extrusion and resin-based deposition technologies. The system is expected to demonstrate additive capabilities with a build volume of 360 ft³, aimed at faster, more cost-effective tooling production. Oak Ridge National Laboratory will enhance the tool path generation software to further JuggerBot’s capabilities, while Mississippi State University will lead in system validation through rigorous material testing and process parameter assessments.
As Hunter Watts, a research engineer at MSU’s ACI, notes: “This project represents a huge leap forward in reducing the time and costs associated with tooling production, making it an industry game-changer.”
The project is scheduled for completion in December 2025 and marks a critical step in accelerating the adoption of hybrid additive manufacturing for large-scale production in the aerospace and defense sectors.