Additive Manufacturing (AM) is the industrial production of 3D printing. It consists of creating three dimensional objects by adding layer-upon-layer of materials. Center of Digital Technologies specializes in the following areas:
Material Extrusion: is one of the most well-known additive manufacturing processes. Spooled polymers are extruded, or drawn through a heated nozzle mounted on a movable arm. The nozzle moves horizontally while the bed moves vertically, allowing the melted material to be built layer after layer. Proper adhesion between layers occurs through precise temperature control or the use of chemical bonding agents.
Directed Energy Deposition: The process of directed energy deposition (DED) is similar to material extrusion, although it can be used with a wider variety of materials, including polymers, ceramics and metals. An electron beam gun or laser mounted on a four- or five-axis arm melts either wire or filament feedstock or powder.
Material Jetting: with material jetting, a print head moves back and forth, much like the head on a 2D inkjet printer. However, it typically moves on x-, y- and z-axes to create 3D objects. Layers harden as they cool or are cured by ultraviolet light.
Stereolithography (SLA): uses photopolymerization to print ceramic objects. The process employs a UV laser selectively fired into a vat of photopolymer resin. The UV-curable resins produce torque-resistant parts that can withstand extreme temperatures.
Center of Digital Technology specializes in these areas and are open to collaborations.