Direct Manufacture of Components with Local Control of Composition
Abstract
One of the great potentials of Solid Freeform Fabrication (SFF) is the ability to create parts which have different composition in different locations. This capability stems from the fundamental additive nature of SFF technologies. Three Dimensional Printing in particular is extremely flexible in this regard as material composition can be controlled not only between layers but also within a layer by printing different materials into different locations in the layer. The purpose of this work was to explore the potential of 3D Printing to create two different classes of components with local control of composition; gradient index lenses (GRIN) and metallic components with local composition control. These two classes of application are complimentary in that the GRIN lenses were made of glasses and were fabricated from extremely fine powders handled in a slurry form while the metallic components were fabricated from larger powders that can be dry processed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 15, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA435176
Entities
People
- Emanuel Sachs
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology