Researchers seek to improve LPBF metal 3D printing with laseer beam shaping

Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) are seeking to address the drawbacks of laser beams traditionally used in metal 3D printing.

By exploring alternative shapes to the Gaussian beams commonly used in laser-based 3D printing processes such as laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), the researchers hope to reduce porosity and defects in metal parts that can lead to poor mechanical performance.

To overcome such issues, the researchers are exploring how exotic optical beam shapes, known as Bessel beams, can reduce the likelihood of pore formation and “keyholing”, where bubbles are created in the melt pool that then form pores in finished parts.

“Using Gaussian beams is a lot like using a flamethrower to cook... FULL ARTICLE

Metal 3D Printing to Yield $50B in Parts by 2030

SmarTech Analysis has some bold numbers for the metal additive manufacturing (AM) market. The leading firm dedicated to 3D printing market analysis and consulting has projected that the segment for metal 3D printed parts will reap $50 billion annually by 2030.

In its latest iteration of a flagship research product, the “Metal AM Parts Produced 2021“ report, the firm again looks at the production volumes of metal 3D printed components and the resulting market values. The report includes a database of metal AM market projections for metal AM parts ranging from prototypes, tools, and tooling to end-use production components. These items span eight major industries and dozens of part categories, such as aircraft and helicopter engine parts in aerospace to nuclear reactor components in the energy sector. FULL ARTICLE

Industrial 3D Printing The Focus For New €100 Million Venture Capital Fund

The latest sign of maturation in the industrial 3D printing sector is a major new venture capital fund. The €100 million fund is the first of its kind dedicated to additive manufacturing (AM) and has emerged with its initial closing today.

While the fund itself is new, it’s been a long road for the entities behind it to get to this point. AM Ventures’ Chief Venture Officer Arno Held and Investment Manager Adrian Maier-Ring shared insights into the vision of the venture capital forces that have come together to create the fund. FULL ARTICLE