SBIR Phase I: Advanced bonding and cutting techniques for manufacturing solid aluminum parts

小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力在于创造了一种新的铝部件制造工艺。铝在许多行业中被广泛使用，并可用于环境友好型应用。这项拟议的技术将下一代叠层实体制造(LOM)与新的金属粘合工艺和软件进步相结合，制造固体铝部件的速度比目前的添加剂技术快10倍。与现有的解决方案相比，该工艺可以更快、更低的成本生产零件。该SBIR第一阶段项目旨在解决必须破坏箔之间氧化层的制造应用中的铝氧化。该团队将探索多种粘接技术，以最大限度地减少制造缺陷，同时保持热机械性能的一致性。该项目的三个主要目标是：1)建立机械测试和光学检查方法，2)开发和优化切割和粘合工艺，3)创建一个样本部件来证明技术可行性。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is in creation of a new aluminum parts manufacturing process. Aluminum is used extensively in many industries and can used in environmentally friendly applications. The proposed technology combines next-generation laminated object manufacturing (LOM) with a novel metallic bonding process and software advancements to create solid aluminum parts ten times faster than current additive technologies. This process can produce parts faster and at a lower cost compared to existing solutions. This SBIR Phase I project addresses aluminum oxidation for manufacturing applications in which the oxide layer between foils must be disrupted. The team will explore multiple bonding techniques to minimize manufacturing defects while maintaining consistency of thermomechanical properties. The project's three principal goals are: 1) establish mechanical testing and optical inspection methods, 2) develop and optimize cutting and bonding processes, and 3) create a sample part to demonstrate technical feasibility.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.