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 houses equipment for additive manufacturing in metal. It includes various types of printers, sandblasters, sieves, and laser scanning equipment, as well as advanced material characterization equipment.
Equipment:
- Freemelt ONE – Printer designed for the development of new materials.
- 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 range, with a foundation in process and material development for industrial applications. The team also works on applications in sports technology, life sciences, and other areas.
With extensive experience in additive manufacturing, the team is among the leaders in Sweden and globally, particularly in metal using Electron Beam-based Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-EB). Expertise in additive manufacturing includes metals, polymers, material development, manufacturing techniques, surface modification, and process development.
The team has substantial experience working with various materials, such as titanium, cobalt-chrome, and nickel-based alloys, and has developed process parameters for numerous steel alloys, other titanium alloys, high-entropy alloys, ceramics, and high-temperature materials like tungsten.
Research and Development Focus Areas:
- Material Development: Creating new materials with unique properties through process optimization, used in prototypes and series production across industries such as tooling, energy, and process industry.
- Implant Functionalization: Through design and surface coatings.
- Process Development: Improving energy efficiency and powder functionalization.
- In-situ monitoring, machine learning, including deep learning and AI.
- Equipment for sports applications.
The labs are located at Campus Östersund, Q Building, 2nd floor.