By using additive manufacturing to print active components of motors, Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers are conducting research that cannot be done with conventional methods.
"To date, 3-D printed induction motors are made of plastic core pieces with copper windings to produce 'motors' that rotate," said Curt Ayers, who leads the effort that resulted in a motor made with printed metallic parts.
"Our work focuses on building and testing new complex motor designs that would provide the characteristics - high power density, high efficiency and low cost - needed to take motors to the next level."
Ayers emphasized that this work "isn't being done simply to produce a motor with 3-D printing." Instead, the ORNL focus is on the ability to rapidly produce and test various configurations of complex traction drive motors for electric and hybrid vehicles and many other applications.