Micro laser sintering using aggregated nanopowders

Laser assisted manufacturing appears as the most promising candidate for micro/nano manufacturing technology. The main limitation of actually existing technologies for direct fabrication using laser based processes (the others appear not competing) rely on the inability to combine: 3D gradient materials; spatial resolution better than 100 µm; careful, on-line control of processing parameters. A new advancement in direct micro manufacturing of metallic nanophased components (truly nanomanufacturing) has been achieved and is described here thanks to joint process innovations and new materials developed as aggregated nanopowders. Quite innovative principles have been established concerning high precision Laser Sintering, achieving spatial resolutions better then 50 µm. Innovations were introduced in the areas of optics and Laser source, monitoring and process control, powder feeding and source engineered nano powders. A Consortium of European partners is being driving further radical innovations in the field, briefly outlined.