IMPULSE

Hybrid finishing electro-chemical machining ECM & laser

Start Date: September 2013 – November 2015

Objective:

IMPULSE aimed to develop automated, non-contact finishing processes for additively manufactured parts. Typical finishing processes were evaluated and their strengths and weaknesses, specifically in regards to additively manufactured components, identified.

Key activities:

Experimental investigation into continuous wave laser polishing, and electrochemical machining were carried out on common materials used in AM for high value manufacturing industries such as aerospace and medical. These materials included Inconel, cobalt chrome, titanium, and aluminium alloys.

Benefits:

These trials were used to identify optimal parameters for these process and material combinations where minimal surface roughness could be achieved. Dimensional and geometric changes were assessed, and practical limitations of applying these processes were also highlighted.

MTC role in project

The MTC was specifically involved part design and build, experimental design, and part measurement.

Project partners:

MTC, ECMD, 3TRPD

Funding body:

IUK

Project budget:

£142k

Grant to MTC:

£66k

Link to Project website:

https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=10148

Contact Us:

NCAM@the-mtc.org