LAser driven Metal droplets enabling multi-material 4D-printing (LAM-4D) - stage 2

Important results from the project

The goal of this continued hypothesis testing and development of a new process for additive manufacturing (AM). The results show good possibilities and strategies for robust material transfer. With this wire based method a high energy laser can act as producer, driver and guide for metals on surfaces for cladding, alloying or AM. Three different alloys have been tested with positive results and also partially combined. Identification of suitable elements is made. The next development step of this new method is machine development towards industrialization.

Expected long term effects

The project has led towards increased understanding about the new process and how to make it robustly work. Acceleration of droplets and corresponding positioning is not trivial, since a not central exposure area will quickly deflect them. The here developed methodology shows good results, with higher repeatability in deposition and excellent transitional phases. A new Swedish flexible method for AM for AM in metals for multi-material manufacturing can from these results be developed in future projects, ultimately leading to increased sustainability and new innovative products.

Approach and implementation

The work has been initially theoretical and later more experimental. The theoretical parts have been for development of model for calculating ablation pressure from a high energy laser beam, but also corresponding ablation pressure from different elements. The experiment has been made together with high speed imaging to find strategies for drop transfer where repeatability and accuracy is optimal. Mechanisms, processing window and material structure is identified (positive) for two materials and for a third material with a different strategy and not as extensive.