Main Sub-Systems for Metal AM Machines

This chapter helps the students to gain a clear understanding of main modules used in additive manufacturing (AM) systems and gain knowledge on the physics behind the laser functioning. In metal AM processes, the 3D object is built through the selective solidification/joining of powder materials in a layer‐by‐layer fashion. The chapter discusses the electron beam as an energy source used in powder bed fusion and directed energy deposition processes. The chapter includes information about wire feeding mechanisms, powder feeders, powder spreading mechanisms, positioning devices, and computer‐aided design/CAM systems employed in metal AM. The chapter also discusses the basics of lasers, along with details about the most common type of lasers used in laser‐based AM. Lasers can be grouped as follows: solid‐state lasers, gas lasers, liquid dye lasers, semiconductor diode lasers, and fiber lasers. In addition to the laser beam, common source of heat for thermal‐based metal powder bed additive manufacturing technologies is electron beam.