Additive Manufacturing and Post Processing
Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) is an additive manufacturing technique that utilizes a laser to selectively melt and fuse layers of metal powder on a substrate. This process allows the fabrication of intricate metal structures and highly dense parts.
Wire DED - Meltio3D
Wire Laser Direct Energy Deposition (DED) is using a laser to melt and deposit metal wire layer by layer onto a substrate. In this method, a continuous NiTi wire is fed into the focal point of a high-energy laser beam. The laser intense heat melts the wire, depositing it precisely onto the workpiece and forming controlled layers.
Binder Jet - Destop Metal
Binder Jetting is an additive manufacturing process that selectively deposits a liquid binding agent onto layers of metal powder, forming precise structures. This method is known for its speed and cost-effectiveness compared to other additive technologies.
rePowder - Amazemet
The powder atomizer creates metal powder from any alloy, even in small quantities, promoting sustainability by recycling failed printouts and unused or leftover materials. This closed-loop approach in our product life cycle assessment ensures efficient material utilization.
EMD wire cut - GF CUT S
Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) is a non-traditional process that utilizes controlled electrical discharges for precision cutting of materials. It is highly effective for very hard materials, such as shape memory alloys, making it valuable for our team specific needs.
Furnaces
We possess multiple furnaces capable of conducting heat treatments under air or argon gas, spanning a temperature range of 100 to 1000°C.
Material and Mechanical Characterization
Elements characterization - ELEMENTRAC ONHp2 / ELEMENTRAC CS-I
In additive manufacturing, impurity pickup can adversely affect material properties. These analyzers are capable of characterizing concentrations of oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon, and sulfur in both the powder and the printed material, providing essential insights into the material quality.
Powder characterization - Camsizer / SYNC
Camsizer and SYNC are tools for analyzing the size, distribution, and morphology of powder particles. Camsizer is suitable for coarser powders from 0.8 μm to 8 mm, while SYNC, utilizing Laser Diffraction and Dynamic Image Analysis, covers finer particles from 0.01 microns to 4000 microns with both dry and wet dispersion methods.
Microstructure observations - Keyence VHX 500 / FEI Quanta 3D FEG / Oxford Instrument Symmetry 2S (EBSD) / Oxford Instrument EDS
We employ multiple equipment, including optical microscopes and scanning electron microscopes (SEM), to observe our materials. These tools enable the study of specific structural features such as internal defects and surface roughness. By utilizing EBSD and EDS detector, we can delve deeper into our investigations, allowing for the determination of precipitate composition, phases, grain morphology, grain orientation, and other critical aspects that contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the material properties and behavior.
Mechanical Test - Universal Test Resource / ElectroForce 3000 Bose
The Test Resources hydraulic mechanical testing machine, with a maximum load of 25 kN, is suitable for static and cyclic loading. The electro-force multiaxial Bose machine is specifically designed for torsion testing, and it also offers temperature regulation capabilities within its chamber.
Imaging - DIC Correlate Solution/ Optris IR camera
Imaging extends our capability to precisely measure strain and temperature fields during loading, even at high frequencies. This enhanced visualization allows for a detailed understanding of dynamic responses
Computational Modeling
Flow3D-AM Software
Flow3D-AM is a specialized software tool designed for additive manufacturing applications. It provides advanced simulations for laser powder bed fusion, binder jetting, and direct energy deposition processes. This software enables users to predict and analyze key aspects of additive manufacturing, such as thermal dynamics, melt pool behavior, and solidification mechanisms. By offering insights into these critical factors, Flow3D-AM aids in optimizing the printing process, minimizing defects, and improving the quality and structural integrity of 3D-printed parts.
Thermo-Calc Software
Thermo-Calc is a powerful software used for computational materials engineering, focusing on thermodynamic and kinetic modeling. It allows users to simulate material behavior under various conditions, facilitating the development and optimization of materials. Thermo-Calc is instrumental in predicting phase diagrams, transformation temperatures, and other material properties. Its applications span across various industries, including metallurgy, aerospace, and automotive, helping engineers and researchers in the design and selection of materials and understanding of metallurgical processes.