Technology Category/Market
Category: Additive Manufacturing, Non
Destructive Testing
Applications: Medical imaging, Advance materials, Test Equipment’s , NDE
Industry: Manufacturing, Healthcare, automotive,
Aerospace & Defence
Market -The global additive manufacturing market
size was valued at USD 13.84 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.8% by 2030
Image
Problem Statement
- Conventionally available slit masks are not flexible where such slit masks are made from thin sheet metals that are glued which can eventually fall off.
- Thin masks will deform in time, thereby changing the desired wavelength.
- A number of processes are involved conventionally for implementing the masks for inspection which are time consuming and expensive
- Therefore, there is an unmet need for slit masks with improved flexibility, time/cost effectiveness and efficiency.
Technology
The present technology involves method for efficiently generating and/or mixing laser generated narrowband ultrasonic waves using an integrated or permanent slit mask.
Method:
- Scanning the powder or a wire with laser to form a printed desired 3D component
- Scanning the powder or a wire with a laser to form a printed desired 3D slit mask.
The method is given by the following steps:
- Providing a powder bed of selected powder on a substrate
- Scanning the powder with laser, forming a melt pool
- Fusing the powder onto a desired shape to form a first layer of component
- Formation of a subsequent layer
- Replenishing and repeating to form final desired 3D component and separate from substrate
The system includes:
- A non-contact energy source for localized heating in the additively manufactured component to generate ultrasonic waves;
- An ultrasound receiver for receiving the ultrasonic waves;
- An instrument to display the signals.
- A computer to process the signals.
Fig.1 Represents a schematic view of the additive manufactured integrated slit mask concept
Fig.2 is photograph of additively manufactured test specimen with the integrated slit mask
Fig.3 is an An illustration (top view) of a combinational dual wavelength slit mask for wave mixing
Fig 4 is an illustration of a possible configuration for Lamb wave mixing using slit masks
Fig 5 is graph showing signal in frequency domain clearly showing the fundamental and higher harmonics
Key Features/Value Proposition
- It is possible to carry out wave mixing (both linear and non-linear) using a single mask or using masks located at different locations.
- Less deformation compared to conventional slit masks, hence, almost constant wavelength is generated throughout the lifetime of the mask
- Precise frequency generation by controlling the width of the slit
- Generation of higher harmonics (peak signal ~7.2Hz)
- Has an improved flexibility unlike the conventional systems where the slit mask is custom made
- Time/ cost effectiveness and efficiency and occupies less space
Questions about this Technology?
Contact for Licensing
Research Lab
Prof. KRISHNAN BALASUBRAMANIAM
Prof. PRABHU RAJAGOPAL
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Intellectual Property
- IITM IDF Ref.1685
- IN 420162 (Granted)
Technology Readiness Level
TRL-3Â
Experimental Proof of concept
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