École de technologie Supérieure

Published purpose

Two new promising 3D printing Binder-Based Additive Manufacturing (BBAM) processes for the fabrication of aluminum components will be developed in a 3- year NPO project in the framework of the METALTec precompetitive R&D group managed by NRC. The Material Extrusion (MEX) and Binder Jet (BJ) processes will be developed respectively at ÉTS and NRC, while optimization of the debinding and sintering of aluminum parts will be carried out jointly by the two institutions. It is anticipated that the project will result in significant gains for our partners and METALTec members by demonstrating how BBAM processes can be adapted for the mass production of aluminum-based components by i) developing specific formulations and process parameters, ii) developing strategies to reduce occupational hazards related to safe handling and processing of aluminum powder, and iii) developing tools to predict dimensional changes and distortion during the post-printing steps (debinding and sintering).