A team of researchers led by the University of Cambridge has developed a new technique that uses high-energy lasers to fine tune the properties of 3D-printed metal without compromising the complex shapes it forms.
Additive or 3D printing is proving an increasingly powerful tool for engineering and manufacturing, but it’s far from a panacea. In fact, it often has some major drawbacks that require new approaches to overcome.
3D printing metal usually involves a machine that lays down thin layers of metal alloy in the form of a fine powder. This layer is then melted or sintered using a laser or electron beam guided by a digital model, then another layer is added. When the printing is complete, the excess powder is swept away, revealing the final product.
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