Direct typing - a new method for the production of cellular P/M parts

The screen printing process can be modified in order to yield 3-dimensional green parts of complex shape. To this end, a powder is mixed with suitable additives and printed layer-on-layer. This process, called "Direct Typing Process" (DTP), was developed and patented by the company Bauer-RaD and sucessfully demonstrated for silicon carbide and other ceramics. The new approach seems to be especiall y promising for making complex cellular P/M structures, i.e. micro fluidic devices or catalyst carriers, as well as mechanically optimised structural parts. In a joint effort with Fraunhofer IFAM Dresden, the suitability for the manufacture of metallic P/M parts was examined for stainless steel 316L.