fbpx AM Technologies | University of Kentucky College of Engineering

AM Technologies

Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD)​

Technology Overview​​
Unlimited scalability and high deposition rates make this technology ideal for rapid solid-state AM of large-area components

MELD L 3 Equipment Capabilities​

  • 14 ft3 Build volume​
  • TempSense tooling​
  • Center rod deposition (square stock)​
  • Continuous feeding system (July 2024)
Student working on Additive Friction Stir Deposition machine.

Student working on Additive Friction Stir Deposition machine.

Additive Friction Stir Deposition machine

Additive Friction Stir Deposition machine

Additive Friction Stir Deposition machine product.

Additive Friction Stir Deposition machine product.

Bond GL7 Equipment Capabilities​

  • Versatile system capable of interchangeable deposition modes including multi-rod and SoftTouch extrusion deposition ​
  • 5-Axis coordinated motion (X,Y, Z, A & B Tilt)​
  • 67 kN max thrust force​
  • Expanded work envelope allowing for build volume of up to 50 ft3​
  • BondStir temperature control​

AFSD Bond GL 7 diagram with axis and degree markings

AFSD Bond GL 7 diagram with axis and degree markings

AFSD Bond GL 7 Machine

AFSD Bond GL 7 Machine

Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing (CSAM) - VRC Gen III + Comau/Siemens Robotics​

Technology Overview​
Ideal for large rapid AM of conformal geometries and point-of-need applications​

​Equipment Capabilities​

  • Siemens NX controller/CAM and Comau NS-16-1.65 robot package specifically designed for AM​
  • 6-axis Comau robotics and 2-axis turnable allows for 8 DOF AM ​
  • Maximum reach of 1.65 m ​
  • Repeatability of 0.05 mm​
  • Maximum payload of 16 kg​
Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing machine

Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing machine

Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing machine

Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing machine

Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing machine

Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing machine

Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing machine

Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing machine

WarpSPee3D CSAM System

  • 3D printing metal parts using patented Supersonic Deposition (SP3D)
  • Fully integrated design with enclosed build chamber, powder feeder, electronics and print head
  • Maximum part size of 1000 mm (diameter) x 700 mm (length)
  • Maximum part weight of 40 kg
  • High build rates of 100 g/minute (max)
  • Different materials including Aluminum 6061, Al-Bronze, Copper
Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing (CSAM) – WarpSPee3D CSAM System machine

Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing (CSAM) – WarpSPee3D CSAM System machine

Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) - SLM 280​

Technology Overview​

Ideal for high resolution AM of complex geometric components and features not possible with any other manufacturing technology​

Facility Capabilities​

  • Feature spatial resolution of 150 μm with 20-90 μm variable layer control​
  • Variable layer thickness of 20-75 μm​
  • Build volume of 280 x 280 x 365 mm (approximately 25% larger than standard mid-sized machines)​
  • Patented bi-directional recoating system​
  • 700 W IPG Fiber Laser​
  • Deposition rate of 88 cm3/hr​
Powder Bed Fusion SLM Machine

Powder Bed Fusion SLM Machine

Powder Bed Fusion SLM Machine

Powder Bed Fusion SLM Machine

Wire Arc Directed Energy Deposition(DED)– Fronius TIG/MIG + ABB Robotics

Technology Overview​

  • High process scalability and deposition rates ideal for rapid fusion-based AM of large-area components​
  • Multi-robot solution offering simultaneous Wire-Arc/ Hybrid DED along with subtractive machining in one large-scale manufacturing cell​
  • Highly unique “Powder-to-Part” multi-robot hybrid DED manufacturing cell​

Equipment Capabilities​

  • Fronius TPS 400i ​
  • Cold Metal Transfer (CMT) technology​
  • MIG/TIG/Plasma​
  • ABB Robotics​
  • ABB IRB 4600- 45 kg payload​
  • 1.65 m reach​
Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing machine

Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing machine

Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing machine

Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing machine

Laser DED – Meltio 450M + ABB Robotics​

Technology Overview​

  • Multi-robot solution offering simultaneous Wire-Arc/ Hybrid DED along with subtractive machining in one large-scale manufacturing cell​
  • Highly unique “Powder-to-Part” multi-robot hybrid DED manufacturing cell​

Equipment Capabilities​

Meltio LMD​

  • 1.2 kW Laser Power​
  • Dual Wire + Powder​

ABB Robotics​

  • ABB IRB 4600- 45 kg Payload​
  • 1.65 m Reach​

Meltio machine

Meltio machine

Meltio machine with screen

Meltio machine with screen

Aerosol Jet Printing (AJP) – Optomec HD2

Technology Overview

Used for micro-scale AM, including in combination with other large-scale AM technologies and can be used to produce flexible electronics, embedded sensors, specialty coatings, etc., by direct deposition of virtually any feedstock material that can be aerosolized.

Facility Capabilities

  • Pneumatic and ultrasonic atomization
  • Print smaller features as low as 10 µm
  • Variable layer thickness of 100 nm – 10 µm
  • Work area of 300 x 300 x 100 mm 
  • 3 axis motion platform
  • Integrated in-process laser sintering module