Additive manufacturing
Additive manufacturing makes it possible to create advanced components in a variety of materials from a 3D model on the computer. In this lab, we primarily focus on developing new materials and processes for metals.
Equipment and technology
The lab contains equipment for additive manufacturing in metal and plastic. There are various types of printers, blasters, sifters, milling machines, and laser scanning equipment, as well as advanced material characterization equipment.
Equipment:
- Arcam EBM A2 – printer adapted for the development of new materials
- Arcam EBM A2X – printer adapted for high-temperature materials with unique open programming for the beam ("Research Mode")
- Scanning electron microscope
- Profilometer
- Light optical microscope
- Metallography equipment
- Mitutoyo hardness tester
- Instron tensile testing machine
There is also a manufacturing lab that our students have free access to with scanning equipment and several printers for different plastic materials.
Research
Research in additive manufacturing (3D printing) spans a wide area where the base is process and material development for industrial applications, but we also work in applications in sports technology, implant manufacturing, and other areas.
We have extensive experience in additive manufacturing and are among the leaders in Sweden and the world, mainly in metal using the electron beam melting method (Electron Beam-based Powder Bed Fusion, PBF-EB). Our expertise in additive manufacturing includes metals, polymers, material development, manufacturing techniques, surface modification, and process development. We have experience working with a variety of materials, such as titanium, cobalt-chrome, and nickel-based alloys, but we have developed process parameters for a variety of stainless steels, other titanium alloys, high-entropy alloys, and ceramics.
Research and development primarily takes place in the following areas:
- Material development, new materials with unique properties are developed through process optimization and used in both prototypes and series production for all industries from engineering, outdoor, sports to medicine.
- Functionalization of implants through design and surface coatings.
Process development in energy efficiency, in-situ monitoring, and functionalization of powders. - Equipment for applications in sports.
Our labs are located on Campus in Östersund, building Q, floor 2.