Additive Manufacturing Laboratory at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

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Additive Manufacturing Laboratory at South Dakota
School of Mines and Technology Dr. James W.
Sears, Aaron C. Costello, Seth C.D. Miller, Matt
Z. Wolff
The Additive Manufacturing Laboratory (AML) was
established in the Spring of 2004 through a grant
from the Army Research Laboratory. The AML
specializes in Laser Powder Deposition (LPD), a
technique utilizing a focused NdYAG laser beam
to fuse powder metal to a previously existing
metal substrate.  LPD is useful for building
metal prototype parts, modifying existing parts
for a longer lifespan, and repairing broken or
worn out parts.
Additive Manufacturing Laboratory Equipment 3kW
Trumpf NdYAG Laser Environmental Chamber w/ VAC
Atmospheres Controller dew point Motion Control Systems (2) FANUC M16i
6-axis robot Parker-Hannifin High-Precision
Stages Deposition Heads (2) MTS Discrete Nozzle
LPD Head Precitec YC50 Annular Nozzle Cladding
Head Powder Delivery Systems (2) Optomec, Inc.
Powder Feeders (spherical powders) Powder Feed
Dynamics Mark XV Precision Powder Feeders (for
angular powders)
SDSMT has partnered with many private
corporations and government agencies to apply LPD
technology Department of Energy Department of
Defense RPM Associates Keystone
Enterprises United Defense Boeing Toro
Company Optomec Inc. H.C. Starck Praxair Carpenter
Powder Products Crucible Research
AML Research Areas
Modeling
Depositions
Repairs
Several undergraduate and graduate projects have
investigated the charactariztics and capabilities
of LPD Student Project Type Project Aaron
Costello Graduate Characterization of LPD 316L SS
Mechanical Properties Santhosh
Koduri Graduate Characterization of LPD 316L SS
Microstructure Eswar Yarrapareddy Graduate Corr
osion properties of LPD 316L SS Jacob
Koester Graduate Simulation of LPD T.
Preschanth Graduate Simulation of Laser Glazing
Process Using FEM Amber Barrick Graduate Simulatio
n of LPD Thin-Walled Builds Vijay
Longanathan Graduate Laser Enhanced Thermal Spray
Coating M. Hainy, T. Zelfer Undergraduate Active
Control of Heat Induced Deformation of LPD
Parts P. Krugjohn, K. Nelson Senior
Design Calorimeter for Measuring Laser
Absorption SAE Mini Indy Team Senior
Design Fabrication of Ti 6Al-4V Front and Rear
Steering Uprights
Titanium Engine Valve
Compressor Discharge Seal
Titanium Mini-Indy Upright
Finite Element Analysis
M1A1 Abrams Torque Taker
High-Temperature Molds
High-Temperature Punches
Shape-Memory Alloys
Thermal History
High Deposition Rates