Tech advancements

Question 1

Electrohydraulic forming

Answer 1

Single sided former
Uses pressure from a spark in water
Deep and detailed shapes
Single stage and fast

Used in car parts

Question 2

3D Printing of Metals - Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)

Answer 2

Laser fuses metal particles layer by layer

Undercuts and hollow possible
Complex, strong and lightweight possible

Good for one off/test models

Question 3

Fibre Injection Molding

Answer 3

Uses pellets of glass or CF filled polymers like nylon

Stiff, strong, light parts made quickly
Facilitates reuse of carbon fibre offcuts

Used in car and aerospace parts

Question 4

Laser beam welding

Answer 4

Heat of laser beam used to join metals

Faster than MIG/TIG
Welds narrower/deeper, different metals
No finish needed

Used in shipbuilding and construction

Question 5

Physical Vapor Deposition (Finishing)

Answer 5

Base material vapourised and run through vaccum, coating piece

Improces durability/abrasion resistance
Uniform deposition

Used to coat semiconductors, machine tool tips