Use of additive manufacturing for the fabrication of cellular and lattice materials: a review

ABSTRACT

Complex structures with a prescribed distribution of material often reach the limit of manufacturing technologies. Additive manufacturing has emerged as a valuable option to fabricate structured materials, i.e. cellular or lattice materials. Numerous works related to such materials have used additive manufacturing including extruder-based technologies and laser-based technologies, among others. Each technique results in advantages and disadvantages. Consequently, a review of the different additive-manufacturing technologies used to fabricate cellular and lattice materials is presented here, summarizing the applicability and limitations of each technique. The techniques are categorized according to the state of the raw material they use filament, fluid, and powder. Additionally, guidance on the use of each is given to benefit the fabrication of structured materials.

KEYWORDS:

• Additive manufacturing
• cellular materials
• lattice materials
• powder-based processes
• liquid-based processes
• filament-based processes

Acknowledgments

The support of the Department of Mechanical and Advanced Materials at campus Querétaro and the School of Engineering and Sciences at Tecnológico de Monterrey is acknowledged. We also thank the aid from Misses Andrea Cervantes, Ileana Ruiz and Daniela Leal in the enhancement of the figures.