Powder Bed Fusion for Multi-Material Part Production (11101)
- *Abstract
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Features and Benefits
- Enables production of multi-material parts, i.e., parts in which the material composition varies throughout the part, within certain regions of the part, between individual layers, and/or throughout particular layers
- Utilizes print heads to deposit modifiers or fillers to enhance mechanical, thermal, or electrical properties in localized areas within a part, or as a gradient throughout a part
- Provides ability to selectively dope or add additional constituent materials in specific regions of interest within a part
*This technology is available for licensing, further development, or industrial partnering
Technology
The use of composite materials in laser sintering (LS) has conventionally been limited to the addition of fillers to the bulk powder mixture. Such techniques, however, do not appear to be commercially viable as they result in mixing of the materials in such a way that precludes recycling of un-sintered powders. A further limitation of such approaches is that they result in the modification of properties throughout an entire part or perhaps on a layer-by-layer basis, rather than within specific, localized areas.
University of Louisville researchers are developing an innovative approach to enable the production of gradient materials as well as the ability to selectively modify material composition both within and between layers of a fabricated part. This approach utilizes a piezoelectric print head to deposit various additives onto the surface of a powder bed on an as-needed basis and only in specific areas in which modification is desired. By printing on "un-sintered" powder, a liquid containing the additives can penetrate to modify the properties of an entire layer. By printing on "sintered" regions, the liquid will modify properties between layers, thereby enabling – for example – conductive traces or changes to the electromagnetic signature within certain regions of the part.
Markets Addressed
Additive manufacturing (AM) processes are used to create rapid prototypes and end-use parts. The AM market is expected to reach $11,145.1 million by 2020, at a CAGR of 20.9% from 2014 to 2020. AM processes are utilized in a number of industries including motor vehicles, consumer products, business machines, aerospace, medical, academic, and government/military. Government support, large application areas and low cost rapid product development of custom products are expected to drive the continued growth of the AM market.
Technology Status
IP Status: Patents Pending
- International Patent Application No. PCT/US2014/21166, "Powder bed fusion systems, apparatus, and processes for multi-material part production," ULRF Ref. 11101-04
- U.S. Patent Application No. 14/198,674, "Powder bed fusion systems, apparatus, and processes for multi-material part production," ULRF Ref. 11101-02
- U.S. Patent Application No. 14/199,148, "Powder bed fusion systems, apparatus, and processes for multi-material part production," ULRF Ref. 11101-03
Development Status: Experimental testbed currently under development
- Country/Region
- USA
