Additive Manufacturing With Ceramic Slurries

Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a growing field in which products are created through the addition of materials in a layer-by-layer fashion. Ceramics are typically manufactured using powder compaction and sintering. Ceramic AM is typically executed using Selective Lase Sintering (SLS) techniques to fuse powders using a laser. As with many AM techniques this process allows for the inclusion of unique and complex geometries but does not easily allow for gradient or composite material features. Conclusions from previous investigations indicate chaotic mixing, achieved through integrating a disrupted nubbed section on a traditional screw auger, was more effective for achieving composite homogeneity. However, channel depth results conflicted upon integration of nubbed sections: the existing simulation does not accurately match this inconsistency in the test data. Current work strives to close the gap between test data and simulation, and specifically match this inconsistency between the effect of channel depth and nubbed sections independently, and when combined. The goal is to seamlessly transition between mixtures while minimizing or eliminating waste. To achieve this, it will be necessary to not only understand how print head volume and geometries impact transport, but also determine the impact of gcode on improving transition speed while minimizing material waste.