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Understanding the Microstructure and Properties of Components Fabricated by Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2011

M. L. Griffith
Affiliation:
Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM 87185
M. T. Ensz
Affiliation:
Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM 87185
J. D. Puskar
Affiliation:
Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM 87185
C. V. Robino
Affiliation:
Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM 87185
J. A. Brooks
Affiliation:
Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA 94551
J. A. Philliber
Affiliation:
Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA 94551
J. E. Smugeresky
Affiliation:
Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA 94551
W. H. Hofmeister
Affiliation:
Vanderbilt University, Department of Chemical Engineering, Nashville, TN 37235
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Abstract

Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS) is a novel manufacturing process for fabricating metal parts directly from Computer Aided Design (CAD) solid models. The process is similar to rapid prototyping technologies in its approach to fabricate a solid component by layer additive methods. However, the LENS technology is unique in that fully dense metal components with material properties similar to wrought materials can be fabricated. The LENS process has the potential to dramatically reduce the time and cost required realizing functional metal parts. In addition, the process can fabricate complex internal features not possible using existing manufacturing processes. The real promise of the technology is the potential to manipulate the material fabrication and properties through precision deposition of the material, which includes thermal behavior control, layered or graded deposition of multi-materials, and process parameter selection.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2000

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References

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