The report, developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL, identifies high-impact opportunities for advanced manufacturing and materials, including additive manufacturing, machining and casting, coating processes, and the use of innovative materials to address specific manufacturing-related challenges in U.S. hydropower....
Additive manufacturing is the process of joining materials to make parts from 3D model data. This technique allows operators to optimize the construction and design process so parts can be manufactured on-site, easing pressure on the supply chain.
Novel machining and casting processes: Novel processes can return production of large parts back to the United States, enabling faster production and resulting in higher-quality parts. These novel processes can include hybrid and subtractive manufacturing, which use nonconventional machining (including laser beams and abrasive jets) to produce hydropower parts that are typically hard to manufacture.
Novel machining and casting processes: Novel processes can return production of large parts back to the United States, enabling faster production and resulting in higher-quality parts. These novel processes can include hybrid and subtractive manufacturing, which use nonconventional machining (including laser beams and abrasive jets) to produce hydropower parts that are typically hard to manufacture.
Innovative materials: Alternative materials are often lighter, stronger, more resistant to cavitation and corrosion, easier to repair, and more environmentally friendly than traditional materials. These material innovations have a high likelihood to increase part lifetime, increase efficiency, and decrease costs of hydropower operations.
Novel coating processes: Coatings are applied to the surface of an object to prevent wear and component degradation. New coating processes can mitigate biofouling, corrosion, and toxicity while improving component durability and extending the overall life of parts or components....
