DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory published a study that highlights the additive manufacturing (3D printing) of permanent magnets for large electrical machines. Additive manufacturing could be an attractive method for manufacturing permanent magnets.
Wind Energy Technologies Office
June 23, 2022
minute read time
DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory published a study as part of the MADE3D initiative highlighting additive manufacturing (3D printing) of permanent magnets for large electrical machines. Additive manufacturing could be an attractive method for manufacturing permanent magnets, as it minimizes the use and waste of critical, supply-limited rare earth materials and enables printing of complex shapes. The study explores the benefits and advantages of additive manufacturing over conventional methods in creating permanent magnets. It also looks at the use of additive manufacturing for permanent magnets on wind turbine generators and large electrical machines and how this manufacturing method can address the problems associated with supply chain issues of critical rare earth materials.