Deposition Head with Laser Optics

The Materials Science and Engineering Division (MSED) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is developing new alloys and processing techniques to enable the production of custom parts with location specific properties.  Essential to achieving this goal is the ability to print small metallic parts by using laser deposition methods in combination with a variety of other energy sources.   This requires acquiring a compact hybrid manufacturing cell that enables laser deposition of metal powder using powder feeders that supports precision control of small volumes of powder and permits open access to all of the processing data.  The hybrid manufacturing system will require a deposition head and laser optics that are compatible with programmable 1 kW fiber laser and integrate with small volume powder hoppers.  The development of the system will enable not only the development of novel alloys and processing techniques, but the ability to create unique microstructures by controlling a variety of phase transformation including the solidification and precipitation.   Controlling microstructure to enable custom properties is an essential part of the mission of the Thermodynamics and Kinetics Group within the MSED.