KIMS collaboration results in continuous metal Additive Manufacturing pen

March 28, 2023

The metal Additive Manufacturing pen utilised welding techniques to freely manufacture metal in 3D spaces (Courtesy Kim, Dr Chan-kyu, et. al, ‘High-Throughput Metal 3D Printing Pen Enabled by a Continuous Molten Droplet Transfer’, Advanced Science, vol 10.6)
The metal Additive Manufacturing pen utilised welding techniques to freely manufacture metal in 3D spaces (Courtesy Kim, Dr Chan-kyu, et. al, ‘High-Throughput Metal 3D Printing Pen Enabled by a Continuous Molten Droplet Transfer’, Advanced Science, vol 10.6)

A research team led by Dr Sang-woo Song, Dr Chan-kyu Kim, Dr Kang-myung Seo at the government-funded Department of Joining Technology of the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS), Changwon City, South Korea; a research team led by Professor Young-tae Cho and Professor Seok Kim of Department of Mechanical engineering at Changwon University; and a research team led by Dr Dae-won Cho of Busan Machinery Research Center at the Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials, have developed a foundational technology for controlling the volume of molten metal in the process of metal Additive Manufacturing using welding techniques.

The result, detailed in Advance Science, has been the development of a pen capable of freely and continuously Additive Manufacturing in a three-dimensional space. Compared to conventional laser-based Additive Manufacturing, the equipment construction cost is low, and allowing AM to be performed quickly using commercially available welding materials, making it more economical.

THE WORLD OF METAL AM TO YOUR INBOX
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter
Sign up

Metal Additive Manufacturing using welding techniques has limitations in realising complex structures because the process is limited to building one layer at a time – this is because subsequent layers are laminated after complete solidification preventing the molten metal from flowing down. Due to this, there is a disadvantage in that a cooling time is required and the conditions that can be laminated are limited to specific examples.

To solve this problem, the research team performed computer analysis to calculate and precisely control the surface tension of the molten metal and the solidified volume according to convection/conduction. Additionally, they developed a technology that can perform metal Additive Manufacturing in all conditions, including horizontal, vertical, inclined, and overhead positions. By continuously laminating the metal in the liquid phase before it fully solidifies, the manufacturing time is shortened, there is no boundary between layers, and it forms a dense microstructure with excellent mechanical properties.

“We added 3D free-form Additive Manufacturing to the continuous additive manufacturing process, which was considered impossible in the existing metal additive manufacturing process,” stated Sang-woo Song. “Like the existing 3D printing technology using polymers, it is possible to easily manufacture complex structures using existing metal welding materials, suggesting a new paradigm for the manufacturing industry.”

This research result was carried out as a project of ‘Development of Multi-metallic Layer Materials for Multi-purpose Micro Modular Reactor’ by the Korea Institute of Materials Science with the support of the Ministry of Science and ICT.

The full paper is available here.

www.kims.re.kr

www.changwon.ac.kr

www.kimm.re.kr

Download Metal AM magazine

In the latest issue of Metal AM magazine

Download PDF
 

Extensive AM industry news coverage, as well as the following exclusive deep-dive articles:

  • The GRCop story: The development, production and Additive Manufacturing of NASA’s rocket engine alloys
  • Formnext 2023: Innovations in metal Additive Manufacturing from the industry’s leading international exhibition
  • Cybersecurity in Additive Manufacturing: Securing the industry’s future
  • Additive Manufacturing in the jewellery industry: exploring the potential of platinum and titanium
  • Mission possible: The five-year plan to gain FAA and EASA acceptance of in-process monitoring

The world of metal AM to your inbox

Don't miss any new issue of Metal AM magazine, and get the latest industry news. Sign up to our twice weekly newsletter.

Sign up

Discover our magazine archive…

The free to access Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine archive offers unparalleled insight into the world of metal Additive Manufacturing from a commercial and technological perspective through:

  • Reports on visits to leading metal AM part manufacturers and industry suppliers
  • Articles on technology and application trends
  • Information on materials developments
  • Reviews of key technical presentations from the international conference circuit
  • International industry news

All past issues are available to download as free PDFs or view in your browser.

Browse the archive

Looking for AM machines, metal powders or part manufacturing services?

Discover suppliers of these and more in our comprehensive advertisers’ index and buyer’s guide, available in the back of Metal AM magazine.

  • AM machines
  • Process monitoring & calibration
  • Heat treatment & sintering
  • HIP systems & services
  • Pre- & post-processing technology
  • Powders, powder production and analysis
  • Part manufacturers
  • Consulting, training & market data
View online
Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap