WorldWide Drilling Resource

World’s First 3-D Printed Excavator on Display at CONEXPO-CON/AGG Adapted from a News Release from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017 will feature the unveiling of the world’s first fully-functional 3-D printed construction excavator, and the first large-scale use of steel in 3-D printing, known as additive manufacturing. The excavator, which will be on display March 7-11, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada, will bring to life how technology is transforming the construction industry in line with the 2017 theme, Imagine What’s Next . In addition to the preprinted excavator, attendees will see a second excavator printing live on the show floor. “We know our members look forward to seeing the industry’s most innovative technologies at CONEXPO-CON/AGG...each show year, and 2017 will not disappoint. We’re thrilled to bring such a significant technological and first-of-its-kind achievement like the 3-D printed excavator to the show; it will be a platform to demonstrate how the latest innovations and applied technologies are changing the future of construction industry,” said John Rozum, show director. The excavator is a joint collaboration between the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), National Fluid Power Association (NFPA), Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power (CCEFP), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The group is working with research teams from Georgia Tech and The University of Minnesota to convert the current excavator design to one that takes full advantage of 3-D manufacturing. Graduate engineering students at Georgia Tech will be creating a boom and bucket, featuring integrated hydraulics with the goal of decreasing the weight, materials cost, and maintenance; students at the University of Minnesota are designing a hydraulic oil reservoir/heat exchanger and cooling system which will reduce the size and weight, in addition to increasing the efficiency of the machine. “Technology and innovation will drive change for the future of the construction industry, and we’re excited that students are playing a vital role in bringing the newly designed machine to life,” said Eric Lanke, chief executive officer of NFPA. In addition to the partnerships with the Georgia Tech and the University of Minnesota, AEM, NFPA, CCEFP, ORNL, and NSF are inviting undergraduate engineering students from across the country to participate in a nationwide contest to design and print a futuristic cab and a human-machine interface for the excavator which is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Students can submit designs for the cab of the excavator on the Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power website ( www.ccefp.org ) . All entries will be judged by a panel of industry experts with the winning team receiving a $2000 cash prize and the opportunity to visit the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee to observe the printing of the selected design. ! " # ! 32 JUNE 2016 WorldWide Drilling Resource ®