Toward 3D Printing of Pure Metals by Laser-Induced Forward Transfer

Claas Willem Visser; Ralph Pohl; Chao Sun; Gert-Willem Römer; Bert Huis in 't Veld; Detlef Lohse

doi:10.1002/adma.201501058

Toward 3D Printing of Pure Metals by Laser-Induced Forward Transfer

Adv Mater. 2015 Jul 15;27(27):4087-92. doi: 10.1002/adma.201501058. Epub 2015 Jun 5.

Authors

Claas Willem Visser¹, Ralph Pohl², Chao Sun¹, Gert-Willem Römer², Bert Huis in 't Veld², Detlef Lohse¹

Affiliations

¹ Physics of Fluids Group, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7500AE, Enschede, The Netherlands.
² Chair of Applied Laser Technology, Faculty of Engineering Technology, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7500AE, Enschede, The Netherlands.

PMID: 26045211
DOI: 10.1002/adma.201501058

Abstract

3D printing of common metals is highly challenging because metals are generally solid at room conditions. Copper and gold pillars are manufactured with a resolution below 5 μm and a height up to 2 mm, using laser-induced forward transfer to create and eject liquid metal droplets. The solidified drop's shape is crucial for 3D printing and is discussed as a function of the laser energy.

Keywords: 3D printing; additive manufacturing; laser-induced forward transfer; metal printing.