Large-format metal 3D printing

Photo Courtesy: Velo3D

The Sapphire XC 1MZ 3D printer allows customers to print parts 1m in height to address more use-cases for metal additive manufacturing. The printer’s large laser powder bed fusion print volume combines innovative geometric capabilities with repeatable, standardized processes, and validated material properties to achieve distributed manufacturing in a larger format.

Velo3D

IMTS 2022 Booth #433031

Developing design tools for outer space structures

Photo Courtesy : Purdue University School of
Aeronautics and Astronautics

Achieving affordable space exploration will require lightweight structures for vehicles, solar arrays, and antennas. Lightweight materials will be used for structural components such as pressurized habitats, cryogenic tanks, landing gear, and truss cages.

NASA envisions structures made from tailorable composite materials, but no design tool can fully exploit the materials’ full potential. AnalySwift LLC, a Purdue University-affiliated commercial software provider, and Wenbin Yu, a professor in Purdue’s School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, are conducting research to create one.

Existing design tools were developed for traditional composites, which have straight fibers. If an open area is needed inside a traditional composite structure, it’s accomplished by creating a cut-out after manufacture, compromising the structure’s integrity.

Tailorable composites, also known as tow-steered or variable thickness composites, can be highly customized due to improvements in manufacturing. New robotic techniques can weave fibers around openings, expanding design options while improving the structures’ overall properties.

Purdue University School of Aeronautics and Astronautics

AnalySwift LLC

DLP 3D printing resin

Photo Courtesy: igus Inc.

3D printing resin specifically for digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing of wearing parts enables additive manufacturing (AM) of small, precise components with a service life 30x to 60x longer than with conventional 3D printing resins.

For components in the millimeter range, DLP 3D printers achieve very fine resolution using various 3D printing technologies. Resolutions of 0.035mm are possible, around half the thickness of a human hair. A projector casts layers of the 3D model onto the surface of a special liquid resin. The corresponding regions network under the influence of light. After curing, the construction platform is lowered by one layer for the next exposure. This process creates tiny components, including gears with tips 0.2mm thick with extremely smooth surfaces that require no post-treatment. Microscopic solid lubricants are integrated into the material and released independently during movement.

igus Inc.

IMTS 2022 Booth #134812