Technology

Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing (UAM) is a disruptive technology that will change the way you think about making parts. It is a solid state additive manufacturing (AM) process for metals that uses sound waves to merge layers of metal foil. The process produces true metallurgical bonds with full density and works with a variety of metals, including aluminum, copper, stainless steel, and titanium. By combining additive and subtractive process capabilities, UAM can create deep slots, hollow, latticed, honeycombed internal structures, and other complex geometries ― geometries impossible to replicate with conventional subtractive manufacturing processes. Additionally, the solid state nature of the UAM bond allows for welding of dissimilar metals. This enables dissimilar metal cladding, production of custom metal matrix composites, and the ability to embed objects or sensors in a metal substrate.

Benefits

• High-speed process for additive manufacturing of metals
• Large available envelope (6'x6'x3') for substantial size parts
  
• Solid state welding enables:
  − Bonding of dissimilar metals
  − Cladding
  − Metal matrix composites
  − "Smart" or reactive structures
  
• Low-temperature process enables:
  − Electronics embedding in tamper-proof structures
  − Non-destructive, fully-encapsulated fiber embedding
  
• Complex geometries