The purpose of this work is to understand the reasons for varied mechanical properties among three polymer Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) Additive Manufacturing (AM) processes. Parts for this work were manufactured from Polyamide 12 (PA12) using the Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF), Multi-Jet Fusion (MJF), and the recently developed Large Area Projection Sintering (LAPS) processes. Previous works have shown that LAPS parts demonstrate significantly higher density, ductility, and toughness than parts from the L-PBF and MJF processes. A hot isostatic pressing (HIP) treatment was developed to reduce porosity in L-PBF and MJF parts and determine if increasing part density would improve ductility for these processes. It is found that density is not strongly correlated with mechanical properties for high density parts (ρ > 0.98 g/cm3) for the L-PBF and MJF processes, and a following study confirms that this is the case for the LAPS process as well. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and microtome sectioning are performed on parts from all three processes, and it is found that neither percent crystallinity nor crystalline morphology are strongly correlated with mechanical properties. A heat treatment at temperatures well over the melting point for the material is developed and is shown to improve ductility and toughness for all three processes. It is concluded that the improved ductility observed in the LAPS process stems from long exposure to high temperature, rather than increased density or a specific crystalline structure, and is associated with post-condensation reactions increasing polymer chain length. Work is also presented on the development of a production-scale LAPS system at Ascend Manufacturing. This research focuses on the results of "tiling" and "scanning" methods for producing larger parts than previously possible with prototype LAPS systems. Tensile testing showed that the methods both produced parts with similar properties, though with lower ductility than previous LAPS parts. Analysis of thermal data identifies areas for improvement of the system to attain high strength and high ductility parts. Preliminary work is done to demonstrate avenues for process improvement. Analysis of data from across the entire powder bed shows that process defects can be observed from the thermal data available in the LAPS process, and that weak spots in parts may be related to this data. Finally, the potential for process improvement through a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) control scheme is discussed.

Additive manufacturing (AM) is an attractive way to shorten development time, reduce product weight and allow the manufacturing of more complex products than by conventional manufacturing processes. The problem arises when the previous traditional manufacturing requirements need to be fulfilled by AM as well as the volume production capability. This investigation is done together with Ericsson to evaluate the possibilities of the different AM technologies, post-processing methods and silver coating processes to guarantee the specifications of radiofrequency (RF) filters. Here, minimal RF signal insertion losses are targeted. Since insertion losses are dependent on surface roughness, surface smoothness is sought as well. Ericsson simulation software uses correction factors to account for surface roughness, however there are some inconsistencies between the simulated and actual surface roughness that is allowed in the parts. In AM parts, surface roughness is not easy to control since it depends on parameters related to feedstock, process and machine properties. Commonly, most AM components do not comply with requirements of lower surface roughness values. Therefore, parts need to be smoothened before silver plated; this step is necessary to ensure the electrical conductivity in this specific application. These finishing processes add costs to the final product and increase time to market. Firstly, a comprehensive study was carried out to better understand the landscape of AM technologies, postprocessing and silver coating methods. Secondly, the different processes are assessed with the help of selection matrices, considering the products requirements. The components to print are two RF filters with different shapes and dimensions but similar requirements. The CAD design is modified depending on each AM process and directly affects the results. Afterwards, the design of an experimental plan is carried out; the number of samples of each part comparing AM technologies, feedstock, different suppliers (3D printing and post-processing) is obtained. Due to budget and time restrictions, the parts were printed using Multi Jet Fusion and Selective Laser Melting processes. After printing, tolerances and surface roughness were measured. This thesis results in the selection of suitable AM technologies and post-processing methods for RF filters. For MJF printed cavities at 0˚, 30˚ and 90˚ orientation, the best results for this application are obtained at 30˚ providing a good balance between sharp detail and smooth surfaces. In the case of SLM, waveguides are printed at 0˚ and 30˚. 30˚ waveguides present lower surface roughness values than the 0˚ ones as inner support material is needed at 0˚ orientation. SLM cavities were printed at 30˚ in seek of asymmetry between faces, resulting in higher surface roughness in the downfacing face.

Subject of this diploma thesis is a design of a prosthetic foot for an additive manufacturing. It is a dynamic foot made of plastic, designed for an 80 kg patient with a second level of a movement aktivity. From a few concepts is chosen one, which is then optimalized and printed with a MJF method. Functional sample is then undergoing static and cyclic tests according to ISO 10328.