Issue 15/2016 - Breakthrough metal 3D printing technology improves build lifespan

Breakthrough metal 3D printing technology improves construction service life
The "casting, forging and milling integration" metal 3D printing technology led by Professor Zhang Haiou of Huazhong University of Science and Technology has successfully manufactured the world's first batch of 3D printed forgings
.
After more than ten years of research, Zhang Haiou's team independently developed the "micro-casting and forging synchronous composite" equipment, creatively combined metal casting and forging technology into one, realized the first miniature "casting while forging technology" that surpassed the West, greatly improved the strength and toughness of the parts, and ensured the fatigue life and reliability
of the components.

Professor Zhang Haiou introduced that the use of this technology to produce parts is 50%
more refined than laser 3D printing.
At the same time, the shape, size and organizational performance of the parts can be controlled, which greatly reduces the product cycle
.
The technology uses metal wire as raw material, and the material utilization rate reaches more than 80%, while the price cost of wire material is only about
1/10 of the currently commonly used material.
In terms of heat source, due to the use of efficient and cheap arcs, the cost is only 1/10
of the imported laser.