# Oak Ridge Lab Demonstrates Composite Printing Controls

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) developed and demonstrated a sensor- and computer-vision-based controller for large-scale composite 3D printing. The system detects temperature deviations and adjusts print speed in real time to improve process control. The work was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy; the signal reports no solicitation, contract award, procurement timeline, value, or acquisition contact, so it represents a technology development rather than an active bid opportunity.

- Equipment, sensor, and automation suppliers can evaluate whether their capabilities support real-time monitoring and process adjustments for large-format composite additive manufacturing.
- For procurement teams, the demonstration offers a potential technology area to assess in future manufacturing research or equipment planning, but it does not identify a current acquisition to pursue.
- Companies interested in potential industrial adoption should note that the demonstrated approach combines temperature sensing, computer vision, and print-speed control; the signal provides no deployment schedule or purchasing requirements.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence
**Published:** October 07, 2026

### Government Entities
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
- Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO)
- DOE Office of Science (Office of Science)

### Key Quotes
> It is novel that our controller can sense what is happening and react in real time. It controls the process almost like a human would: by observing and nudging the setting until it reaches the desired outcome.
> — Kris Villez, project lead researcher, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

### Sources
- [Error correction tech boosts the 3D printing of big composite parts – Oak Ridge National Lab](https://www.ornl.gov/news/error-correction-tech-boosts-3d-printing-big-composite-parts/) - ORNL