Innovations in 3D Laser Cutting and Additive Manufacturing Technologies

Description

This Advanced Manufacturing Technology TOE profiles developments in 3D laser cutting and additive manufacturing technologies. Innovations include 3D printing of advanced materials that switch states in response to stimuli, a 3D printed smart gel capable of movement under water, robotic arms that help automate cooking, a 3D laser cutter to print prototypes as well as medium batch size parts, automated laser cutting of parts in less than one minute, a non-contact laser cutting technology for brittle materials, a high-quality graphite mold manufacturing technique, a large format additive manufacturing technology, a hybrid 3D printer for space applications and multi-material powder deposition technology.

The Advanced Manufacturing TechVision Opportunity Engine (TOE) covers global innovations and developments related to manufacturing and industrial automation on a weekly basis. Innovations are focused toward improving product traceability, energy efficiency and reducing environmental footprints, integrating product design and manufacturing aspects for reducing time-to-market. Research focus areas include rapid prototyping (additive manufacturing), lightweighting (multimaterial joining, plastics and metals manufacturing, carbon fiber-based composite manufacturing), smart robotics (agile robots, consumer robots, swarm robotics, cobots), monitoring and control (wireless control networks, human machine interface), and simulation and modeling (design and simulation software).

The Advanced Manufacturing and Automation (AMA) Cluster covers technologies that enable clean, lean and flexible manufacturing and industrial automation. Technologies such as three-dimensional (3D) and four-dimensional (4D) printing, wireless sensors and networks, information and communication technology, multimaterial joining, composites manufacturing, digital manufacturing, micro- and nano-manufacturing, lasers, advanced software, and printing techniques, are covered as part of this cluster. The technologies covered here impact a wide range of industries, such as the impact semiconductor, automotive and transportation, aerospace and defense, industrial, healthcare, logistics, and electronics industries.

Keywords: 3D printer, additive manufacturing, soft robot, robotics, robot arm, 3D laser, automated laser cutter, laser cutting, graphite, mold manufacturing, multi-material