Micro rapid prototyping system for micro components

Overview of Micro-Manufacturing

“…A micro-rapid prototyping system based on a deposition technique may include microdeposition, ultrasonic-based micro-powder feeding, dry powders cladding/sintering, laser micromachining (a laser beam with a wavelength of 355 nm, for example) [29]. Fabrication of mesoand micro-structured devices by direct-write deposition and laser processing of dry fine powders is also possible [30], which is also seen to be an effective way to fabricate 3D structures with heterogeneous material compositions.…”

Microfeeding with different ultrasonic nozzle designs

“…Matsusaka et al [5] studied the continuous microfeeding of fine powders by use of a capillary tube vibrated at 20 kHz by a piezoelectric transducer. After that, Li et al [6] used 49 kHz ultrasonic vibration in the longitudinal direction to vibrate a capillary tube, and obtained a flow rate as low as 10 lg/s. Yamamoto et al [7] studied particle discharge characteristics from the nozzle of a thin tube immersed in liquid subjected to ultrasonic vibration.…”

“…(3) Vibration is delivered by an ultrasonic transducer connected via a metal block, generating a tortuous wave. Li et al [6] and Yang et al [10] used vibration from a PZT plate and an aluminum block to generate a periodical torsion on the capillary tube. (4) Ultrasonic horn: Matsusaka et al [5] and Yang et al [1] used an ultrasonic horn to generate vibration with water as the propagation medium.…”

A multi-component powder dispensing system for three dimensional functional gradients

“…Electrostatic methods [13], screw feeder-counter rolling cylinders [14], gas-assisted powder flow in nozzles of diameter 0.5-2.5 mm [15][16][17], vibration controlled hoppers [11] and ultrasonically actuated hoppers [15,18] have been adapted to solid freeforming. The selection, design and fabrication of this powder delivery device were based on a short list of three options following an assessment of the literature.…”