AM is a rapidly growing segment of the engineering industry, expected to grow from $14 billion in 2018 to more than $350 billion by 2035.
Working directly from a digital model, additive manufacturing 3D-prints objects layer by layer, enabling new designs and innovations that were not possible before. Unlike the traditional manufacturing process, AM makes it possible to develop custom-made parts on-site for specific uses, mitigating issues such as transport, storage, long lead times and considerable excess inventory.
The drawback to AM is a lack of quality fabricated parts. AM involves laser-heating powders to create a shape, a process known as laser sintering. One significant challenge with the current technology is the uncertainty of the mechanical properties and the stability of the components when the powder cools and…
