Direct Digital Manufacturing of Electromagnetically Functionalized Structural Composites

Abstract

Investigators from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) and the Center for Composite Materials (CCM) at the University of Delaware request funds to develop a critical capability for the digital additive manufacture (AM) of electromagnetically functionalized composite structures. When completed this capability will enable the digital design and rapidprototyping of advanced multifunctional composite structures that possess unique mechanical and electromagnetic (EM) properties. The proposed system is comprised of a 6-axis robotic additive manufacturing system, a custom designed micro composite tape laying print head, microdispendingprinting of inks/pastes, milling tool and an automated tool changer. The proposed multi-axis AM system, sold by nScryptTM, combines high positional accuracy stages (<1 ~m) within a 6-axis gantry style configuration. The system~s relatively large build volume (0.6 m x 0.7 m x 0.4 m) is ample enough to fabricate a wide variety of multifunctional prototypes. To form structural components we will modify a commercial automated tape laying (ATL) head and integrate it within the nScrypt platform. When combined with our custom developedelectromagnetic and structural composite materials, the proposed system will be an enabling technology for the design and digital manufacture of robust structural composite parts with integrated electromagnetic functionality.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Apr 25, 2019
Source ID
N000141912298

Entities

People

  • Mark S. Mirotznik

Organizations

  • Office of Naval Research
  • United States Navy
  • University of Delaware

Tags

Readers

  • Manufacturing Engineering.
  • Reinforced Composite Materials
  • Research Science/Academic Research

Technology Areas

  • AI & ML
  • Autonomy