Development and Experimental Study of an Automated Laser-Foil-Printing Additive Manufacturing System

Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims to present the development and experimental study of a fully automated system using a novel laser additive manufacturing technology called laser foil printing (LFP), to fabricate metal parts layer by layer. The mechanical properties of parts fabricated with this novel system are compared with those of comparable methodologies to emphasize the suitability of this process. Design/methodology/approach: Test specimens and parts with different geometries were fabricated from 304L stainless steel foil using an automated LFP system. The dimensions of the fabricated parts were measured, and the mechanical properties of the test specimens were characterized in terms of mechanical strength and elongation. Findings: The properties of parts fabricated with the automated LFP system were compared with those of parts fabricated with the powder bed fusion additive manufacturing methods. The mechanical strength is higher than those of parts fabricated by the laser powder bed fusion and directed energy deposition technologies. Originality/value: To the best knowledge of authors, this is the first time a fully automated LFP system has been developed and the properties of its fabricated parts were compared with other additive manufacturing methods for evaluation.

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Comments

U.S. Department of Energy, Grant DE-FE0012272

Keywords and Phrases

304L stainless steel; Additive manufacturing; Laser-based manufacturing; Metal foil; Sheet metal lamination

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1355-2546

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2023 Emerald, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

23 May 2022

Link to Full Text

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