Shape Deposition Modeling (SDM) uses a plethora of different materials in its various processed for making parts. Finished parts are categorized as one of the following: metal, ceramic, or plastic. The metal parts are mostly made from steel, using a copper support/sacrificial structure. The support structure is there to stabilize the part while it’s being manufactured. During the production of metal parts, shot peening is necessary to force the metal together while it cools and solidifies. Ceramic parts are most commonly made from molten sand, using a metal support structure. These parts are used in high temperature conditions, for instance, as engine parts. Plastic parts also allow for a wide variety of composition materials.

A listing of the methods used for each material is as follows: a 2-part resin/activator system for polyurethane and epoxy resins; a hot-melt extrusion system for waxes; a syringe pumping system for photo-curable resins; a micro-casting system for metals; a metal inert gas (MIG) welding system for steel alloys; and a thermal spraying system for high performance materials.

Another great advantage of SDM over other manufacturing processes is that it can embed other objects into parts. During the production of a part, SDM allows for the embedding of pre-built parts such as mechanical parts, electronic components or circuits, and sensors into the part being produced. SDM allows boasts the capability of creating multi-material layers. This is accomplished by simply repeating the cycle of development for each of the materials.

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