Metal Additive Manufacturing, also known as metal 3D printing, offers the possibility to produce complex metal parts without many of the constraints of traditional manufacturing processes, such as machining, injection molding, and casting. Additive Manufacturing technology offers many advantages over more traditional manufacturing technologies, such as more complex designs, lighter weight, and better performance. There are seven different types of AM technologies identified in the ISO/ASTM standard. Among these AM technologies, recently, there are four types of them gradually used in the industry.
1. Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) – where a thermal source is used to selectively consolidate powdered materials.
2. Binder Jetting (BJT) – where liquid binder is selectively deposited to bind powdered materials.
3. Directed Energy Deposition (DED) – where feedstock material, either powder or wire, is melted via a focused thermal source as it is deposited
4. Material Extrusion (MEX) – where material is extruded through a nozzle or orifice

Our lab is recruiting talents who are interested in the following topics:
(1) Process Analysis of Metal 3D Printing: The primary objective of this project is to perform a comprehensive parametric study of the Directed Energy Deposition (DED) process for stainless steel. This will involve an in-depth examination of various scanning parameters and their effects on the quality of printed lines, surfaces, and bodies.
(2) Failure Analysis of Metal 3D Printing: The primary objective of this project is to conduct a series of mechanical tests on stainless steel samples fabricated using the Material Extrusion (MEX) process. The study will meticulously examine material properties, metallurgical micrographs, and SEM images to comprehend the failure mechanisms of metal 3D printed materials.