Professor Andrew Moore, Heriot-Watt University

This research programme will enable additive manufacturing (AM) with metals to print safety-critical, service-quality parts directly from a digital file. Currently, doing this requires part-specific build development, and the cost to build each part is relatively high.

To overcome this bottleneck, we will develop methods to control the thermal conditions within each layer of the 3D build. Adaptive process settings will replace wasteful experimental build development. These will be determined before and during the build process, to control the temperature fluctuations that can lead to build defects. These in-layer build planning methodologies will be applied to new metal AM processes that increase productivity, and to expand capabilities for ever more challenging geometries and materials.

The research will enable AM of metals for new material development and lightweight structures in both high-value and mass-produced goods, reducing their carbon footprint and making more sustainable use of natural resources.