Tag Archives: Stainless Steel

Embedding Fiber Optic Sensors Using Laser Additive Manufacturing

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By Dirk Havermann, William N. Macpherson, Robert R. J. Maier and Duncan P. Hand

Laser Additive Manufacturing provides novel and exciting possibilities when constructing 3-dimensional free form components in polymers and metals.  The process of building 3D components from the inside-out opens up the possibility of embedding sensors into the heart of a component.  Fiber Bragg gratings are an ideal sensor for smart composite materials and are already used for delivering in-situ measurements of polymer components. Recently developed high temperature compatible fiber Bragg gratings, suitable for continuous use at temperatures of up to 1000 °C, provide the opportunity of extending sensing capabilities to metallic components. In this cross-disciplinary project, fiber optic sensing and laser additive manufacturing are merged to encapsulate fiber optic sensors into stainless steel components.  Continue reading →

Laser Scribing of Stainless Steel with and without Work Media

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By: Anna Unt, Heidi Piili, Marika Hirvimäki, Matti Manninen, Antti Salminen

Lappeenranta University of Technology, Laser Processing Technology Research Group, Finland
Machine Technology Centre Turku Ltd, Finland

Improving control and decreasing energy needs have been the most addressed problems of chemical industry in recent years. One of the thoroughly researched options has been bringing down the scale of production units. Productivity comparable with large-scale industrial mechanisms can be reached by grouping simultaneously working milli-scale production units with volumes of few ml/min having reaction channels with length of 1-100 mm, width of 0.5-2 mm and depth of 0.25-2 mm. The use of milliscale devices has been limited due to the lack of cost-efficient production method, manufacturing such channels by laser can give savings on cost and simplify the production cycle.

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