Under this program we will demonstrate a novel Solid Freedom Fabrication (SFF) process, Computer-Aided Manufacturing of Laminated Engineering Materials (CAM-LEM). In Phase I, Several key issues will be evaluated to establish the feasibility of this approach. The objective of CAM-LEM is to create a system which can fabricate functional components using engineering materials and do so directly from a computer model. The CAM-LEM approach involves cutting individual layers to form a 3-D laminated object. Postprocessing of the laminated component bonds the assembly into a monolithic part with structural integrity. The advantages of manufacturing via laminatins are many, including: applicability to a wide variety of materials; ability to work with materials that are otherwise difficult to process, and ability to create complex internal geometries. The proposed investigations under Phase I will address four areas: testing a novel means of manupulating individual lamina of arbitrary shapes; determining the achievable precision of robotically-assembled laminated components; determing the dimensional tolerance the system can achieve by precompensating for part shrinkage during postprocessing; and testing the mechanical strength of ceramic parts so produced. These activities would be performed jointly by CAM-LEM and CWRU, utilizing equipment currently available at CWRU.
Keywords: computer-aided manufacturing ceramics solid freeform fabrication
