Novel Alloy Development

It can take decades to develop a new material using conventional methods. Simulation techniques have advanced the state of the art, however material samples still need to be built and analyzed. Traditional manufacturing processes are costly, time-consuming and allow the researcher to evaluate just a single material chemistry at a time. And due to limited research funds, new fabrication techniques must be highly flexible to address a diverse set of research disciplines and industry applications.

Now, with LENS systems, material researchers have an ideal tool to address these needs. The LENS MR-7 system features and capabilities specific to research and development are:

• Digital Fabrication – Highly flexible additive manufacturing tool for rapid prototyping of devices and material samples.
• CAD Model Interface – fabricate novel geometries and shapes all within a single tool.

• Dual Powder Feeders – evaluate various material compositions all within a single sample.
• Fluidization to handle irregular powders – supports a broad array of metals, alloys, ceramics and composites.
• Integrated Thermal Imager – understand actual process - microstructure - property relationships.

• Create Unique Materials – control process parameters to create unique material microstructures and properties.
• Hermetically sealed atmosphere controlled chamber – produce highest purity parts with mechanical properties that can be equivalent or even superior to wrought materials.
• High Brightness Solid State IPG Fiber Laser – high reliability heat source with rapid solidification rates (>1,000 C/sec) produces novel microstructures.
• World Wide LENS Research Community – collaborate with colleagues in many disciplines.

LENS Material Research Applications

The flexibility of the LENS system enables users to conduct research across a broad set of engineering disciplines and industries interests. Some examples of LENS research applications are as follows: