Understanding Metal Additive Manufacturing Processes — Lesson 3

This lesson covers the various processes involved in metal additive manufacturing. It delves into the details of powder bed fusion, directed energy deposition, binder jetting, material jetting, material extrusion, and sheet lamination. The lesson explains how each process works, the materials used, and the advantages and disadvantages of each. For instance, in the binder jetting process, a binder is jetted onto a powder bed to create a part, which is then dried and sintered. The lesson also discusses the resolution, cost-effectiveness, and speed of these processes. It provides examples of parts created using these processes, such as gears made by material jetting. The lesson concludes with an assignment for learners to compare and discuss these additive manufacturing processes and list down various application sectors where they are used.

Video Highlights

00:40 - Discussion on the binder jetting process, its steps, and the concept of infiltration
08:10 - Discussion on the process of infiltration and its challenges
29:13 - Overview of the material extrusion process and its advantages
34:38 - Explanation of the material jetting process and its applications

Key Takeaways

- Powder bed fusion and directed energy deposition are two of the most commonly used processes in metal additive manufacturing.
- Binder jetting involves jetting a binder onto a powder bed to create a part, which is then dried and sintered.
- Material jetting and material extrusion are fast and economical processes for producing metal additive manufacturing parts.
- Sheet lamination is a process where two metal sheets are stacked and an ultrasonic tool travels over them to remove the surface oxidation.
- Each process has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of process depends on the specific requirements of the part being manufactured.
- These processes are used in various sectors, including the production of gears, implants, and structural pieces.