Electron Beam Melting (EBM): Electron beam melting (EBM) is a type of additive manufacturing for metal parts from a 3D CAD model with the successive layers melted together utilising a computer controlled electron beam building up the parts under vacuum. Among all AM processes, EBM is a highly efficient manufacturing process with low residual stress and distortion. However, the issue of rough surface finish and dimensional accuracy have not been solved to date. In this work package, the team will leverage on its modelling, simulation, materials and process development capabilities to tackle the issues. The technology can be applied in aerospace, automotive, medtech, oil & gas, marine, precision engineering and general manufacturing industries.

Polyjet: Polyjet 3D printers jet layers of liquid photopolymer to create a 3D prototype which can be used immediately without additional post-curing. The 3D printer can also jet a gel-like support material specially designed to uphold overhangs and complicated geometries which is easily removed by hand and with water. Currently, honeycomb structures, a key design feature in lightweight components, have been manufactured by extrusion and adhesive bonding, which involve tedious and multiple processes. In this work package, the team will develop a novel way to directly fabricate polymeric honeycomb structure using Polyjet 3D printing. The technology can be widely used for various lightweight honeycomb structures manufacturing with flexible design and fast speed.

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS): SLS, an additive manufacturing layer technology,  involves the use of a high power laser to fuse small particles of plastic, metal, ceramic, or glass powders into a mass that has a desired three-dimensional shape. To date, SLS has been gradually adopted in the manufacturing of component prototypes with limited functions and consistency. In this work package, a physics-based model, computing simulation, new polymeric-based composite materials, together with process development will be systematically investigated to address the performance and consistency issues of SLS-fabricated components.

Stereolithography (SLA): Stereolithography (SLA) is an additive manufacturing process which employs a vat of liquid ultraviolet curable  photopolymer " resin" and an ultraviolet laser to build parts one layer at a time. Currently, the materials used for SLA are largely dominated by the equipment suppliers. In this work package, the team will develop low cost photopolymers to fabricate printed components with superior impact strength while at the same time, reducing the overall weight. The technology will be widely used for various large format lightweight functional gradient component structures with superior properties.

Media Contacts:
For A*STAR:

Lee Swee Heng
Deputy Director, Corporate Communications
for Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology
Email:   Email Contact
Tel: (65)6793-8368

Lisa Chong
Assistant Manager, Corporate Communications
for Science and Engineering Research Institutes, A*STAR
Email: Email Contact
Tel: (65)6419 6544

For NTU:
Lester Kok
Senior Assistant Manager
Corporate Communications Office
Nanyang Technological University
Email: Email Contact
Tel: 6790-6804; Mobile: 9741-5593

SOURCE A*STAR The Agency for Science, Technology and Research