Science Principal Investigator: Igor Sevastianov, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, New Mexico State University

This collaborative research effort focuses on the development of a methodology for quality control and optimization of processing parameters for Additive Manufacturing (AM) technological processes. The main application of the expected outcomes is developing a design-in-manufacturing methodology to produce structural parts in the conditions when processing parameters have to be adjusted during printing. This application is of particular interest to NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) for developing materials repurposing technology crucial for 3D-printing in space.

The ultimate goal of our project is to propose a novel methodology that integrates measurement techniques (e.g. in-situ sensing modalities) and material characterization (e.g. ex-situ material evaluation) with the optimization of AM processing parameters.

Our research will focus on printing specimens from titanium and aluminum alloys and functionally graded materials using the Directed Energy Deposition (DED) method. Initial input parameters will be used for manufacturing the first set of specimens; the manufacturing process will be monitored using in-situ sensors (infrared, optical, and acoustic sensors).

The research will be done by an interdisciplinary team representing three universities from the state of New Mexico: New Mexico State University (NMSU), University of New Mexico (UNM) and New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NMT). The team includes specialists in nondestructive testing and in-situ sensing, materials characterization, control and optimization, and micromechanical modeling.