Additive Manufacturing of metal products with functionally graded material composition

As a result of a multi-million Euro project, a high speed Metal Printing Process (MPP) for the production of metal products with functionally graded materials has been developed.

Custom-Fit is an industry led project funded by the EC under Sixth Framework Programme, with the aim of creating a fully integrated system for the design, production and supply of individualised products using Rapid Manufacturing technologies. One objective of the project is to develop new production systems based on Additive Manufacturing technology for the manufacturing of customised products. The Metal Printing Process (MPP) is one of the processes developed under the project by the Norwegian research institute SINTEF.

MPP aims to become the equivalent of a high speed 3D-printer that produces three-dimensional, solid metal, freeform objects directly from powder materials. This technique is based on the process principles of xerographic printers, (such as for example laser -or LED- printers) and the proven technology of conventional powder metallurgy. The MPP process approach uses the same fundamental principles to build solid objects on a layer-by-layer basis. Layers of powder materials are generated by attracting different metal- and/or ceramic powders to their respective position on a charged pattern on a photoreceptor by means of an electrostatic field. The attracted layer is transferred to a punch and transported to the consolidation unit where each layer of part material is sintered onto the previous by pressure and heat. The procedure is repeated layer-by-layer until the three-dimensional object is fully formed and consolidated.

MPP has the ability to print different powders within the same layer and progressively change from one material to another, i.e. producing a functionally graded material. In addition to this, MPP has been developed to work with any commercially available powders. This ability to fabricate products with a wide range of materials incorporated opens the possibility to produce unique material combinations and microstructures.

This new technology opens up a whole new world for producing metal products with better mechanical structure. Roald Karlsen, senior scientist in SINTEF who is heading the development of MPP, says, “The areas of application are only limited by our imagination. When the technology is fully available new applications and needs will arise. Some relevant applications for the MPP might be: production of customized orthopedic implants with functionally graded properties, fabrication of spare parts on demand, tools with conformal cooling channels and embedded sensor technology, high temperature fuel cells, micro-parts from nano-scale powders, etc.”

About Custom-Fit:
Custom-Fit is an industry led project to investigate the possibility of moving towards knowledge based manufacturing and customised production through integration of knowledge in Rapid Manufacturing, Information Technology and Material Science. Funded under the Sixth Framework Programme, the project involves 30 partners from around Europe. The aim is to create a fully integrated system for the design, production and supply of individualised products. It has targeted product for implementing the new technology, including motorcycle seats, helmets, implants and prosthesis.
For all media enquiries, please contact:
Suny Martínez or Luisa Marín
AIJU
Ingeniería de Producto y Ensayos
Avda. de la Industria, 23
03440 IBI (Alicante) Spain
Telephone number: +34 965554475
Fax number: +34 965554490
e-mail: customfit@aiju.info

Media Contact

Suny Martínez/ Luisa Marín AIJU

All latest news from the category: Process Engineering

This special field revolves around processes for modifying material properties (milling, cooling), composition (filtration, distillation) and type (oxidation, hydration).

Valuable information is available on a broad range of technologies including material separation, laser processes, measuring techniques and robot engineering in addition to testing methods and coating and materials analysis processes.

Back to home

Comments (0)

Write a comment

Newest articles

Lighting up the future

New multidisciplinary research from the University of St Andrews could lead to more efficient televisions, computer screens and lighting. Researchers at the Organic Semiconductor Centre in the School of Physics and…

Researchers crack sugarcane’s complex genetic code

Sweet success: Scientists created a highly accurate reference genome for one of the most important modern crops and found a rare example of how genes confer disease resistance in plants….

Evolution of the most powerful ocean current on Earth

The Antarctic Circumpolar Current plays an important part in global overturning circulation, the exchange of heat and CO2 between the ocean and atmosphere, and the stability of Antarctica’s ice sheets….

Partners & Sponsors