Schematic of the new setup [1] by N. Holt et al. Researchers in the AM3 lab, at the university of Arkansas, have demonstrated the potential for a new low-costs powder bed AM technique for the manufacturing of micro-components made of low-melting temperature (~600C) powders [1]. Unlike Selective Laser Sintering and Selective Laser Melting that employ a laser beam scanned across the powder bed, the new concept, referred to as MAPS for Micro-Array Powder Sintering, employs arrays of micro-heaters as energy sources. This proof-of-concept could increase build speeds and reduce powder waste and running costs.
