Cadens is a pioneer in the field of micro- to small-hydropower, particularly in the development of auto-optimized technology to turbine design and additive manufacturing (AM) production. Cadens has developed a low-head hydropower research facility in southeast WI to test and develop AM turbine systems. We are applying CAD-driven additive manufacturing, printable reinforced plastics and modern power electronics to create innovative hydropower technologies that will significantly reduce the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for hydropower.
Latest News
Test bed system – wall thimble adaptor
Setting up the test bed system at the Rome Mill is an opportunity for Cadens to demonstrate the adaptability of additive manufacturing for modular small hydropower ducting and mechanical powertrain components. The wall thimble adaptor (shown below) is a great example of AM’s versatility to produce a one-off, site-specific part; easy and low-cost. The part was made at ORNL MDF […]
Cadens’ CRADA with ORNL
Our vision is a world where energy is clean, abundant and virtually free. Progress can be a long arc and making hardware is difficult – knowing when to plow ahead or when to be patient with the process – the key is to be flexible and open while being persistent and consistent with level of effort. We’ve been hard […]
Advancements in AM materials
Keeping up with the latest and greatest in AM is a reminder to always be looking for available white papers and publications on your subject of interest. The progress being made with new techniques and materials is geared toward pushing the envelope to radically reduce production costs with AM. So here’s a poke with a collaboration between PPG and ORNL MDF […]
Print orientation
3D printed components. Ask anyone that’s used a desktop 3D printer. We’ve all got stories about printing out pieces of the puzzle, finding the right adhesive and gluing them together. The fact is, there’s rapid innovation and new technology throughout AM – bigger, better, stronger, faster, cheaper – from machines, to a wider variety of printing materials. 3D Printing larger components […]