Development and experimental study of an automated laser-foil-printing additive manufacturing system. Issue 6 (12th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hung, Chia-Hung; Turk, Tunay; Sehhat, M. Hossein; Leu, Ming C.
• Is Part Of: Rapid prototyping journal. Volume 28:Issue 6(2022)
• Page Start: 1013
• Page End: 1022
• Publication Date: 2022-01-12
• Subjects: 304L stainless steel -- Metal foil -- Sheet metal lamination -- Laser-based manufacturing -- Additive manufacturing; Engineering design -- Periodicals; 620.004205
• DOI: 10.1108/RPJ-10-2021-0269
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-2546

Abstract

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.