Technology Innovations in 3D Printing, Robotics, and Additives for Drag Reduction in Pipes

This issue of Advanced Manufacturing TOE profiles developments in 3D printing, robotics, and additives for drag reduction in pipes. Innovations include an additive polymer agent that drastically reduces drag rates in pipes, a coconut fiber used as drag reduction agent in circular pipes, an active copolymer solution compatible with various hydrocarbon fluids, additive manufacturing for high-strength aluminum, an automated wire-arc welding technology to retain component strength, a 3D printing platform for high-speed 3d printers, a novel 3D printing technique for soft robotics, metal 3D printing tools for advanced metal additive manufacturing, a metal 3D printing technology for medical products, and a flying 3D printer to print large structures.

The Advanced Manufacturing TechVision Opportunity Engine (TOE) covers global innovations and developments related to manufacturing and industrial automation on a weekly basis. Innovations are focused toward improving product traceability, energy efficiency and reducing environmental footprints, integrating product design and manufacturing aspects for reducing time-to-market. Research focus areas include rapid prototyping (additive manufacturing), lightweighting (multimaterial joining, plastics and metals manufacturing, carbon fiber-based composite manufacturing), smart robotics (agile robots, consumer robots, swarm robotics, cobots), monitoring and control (wireless control networks, human machine interface), and simulation and modeling (design and simulation software).

The Advanced Manufacturing and Automation (AMA) Cluster covers technologies that enable clean, lean and flexible manufacturing and industrial automation. Technologies such as three-dimensional (3D) and four-dimensional (4D) printing, wireless sensors and networks, information and communication technology, multimaterial joining, composites manufacturing, digital manufacturing, micro- and nano-manufacturing, lasers, advanced software, and printing techniques, are covered as part of this cluster. The technologies covered here impact a wide range of industries, such as the impact semiconductor, automotive and transportation, aerospace and defense, industrial, healthcare, logistics, and electronics industries.