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About The metalprinting™
Project
The metalprinting™ project is a strategic research program conducted at SINTEF Industrial Management with participation from SINTEF Materials Technology, SINTEF Electronics and Cybernetics, three institutes at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, and several industrial enterprises. Our challenge to develop and demonstrate an alpha MPP machine is divided in five work packages (WPs); Requirement definition (WP 1), materials and process science study (WP 2), layer fabrication system development and design (WP 3), consolidation system development and design (WP 4), and sub-systems integration and alpha-machine demonstration (WP 5). Requirements for the Metal Printing Process will be defined from input information from industry in Norway and abroad (WP 1). The selected requirements will give important guidelines to the development in the succeeding work packages. A deposition study and a consolidation study will be conducted (WP 2) to drive the design of the layer fabrication system (WP 3) and the consolidation system (WP 4). Both the layer fabrication system and the consolidation system will be tested and optimised. An alpha MPP machine in which the fabrication and consolidation functions are integrated will be developed for demonstration purposes (WP 5).
The scientific approach to the MPP system development has been designed in order to minimise risk and maximise the probability of success. The proposed budget of the development programme is 35 mill. NOK, including 16 mill. NOK from the Research Council of Norway. In addition to national funding, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Dallas has expressed their interest for participating in the program both with personnel and funding. Their contribution should be directed to development and testing related to their range of products and will be treated as an own project closely attached to the strategic institute program. Significant synergetic effects are expected. |
