Capabilities

Capabilities

World-class capabilities and facilities

To support its mission, CIMP-3D operates and maintains a state-of-the-art processing laboratory and offers full capabilities for processing metallic, polymeric, and ceramic materials.

Manufacturing Systems

The heart of CIMP-3D’s technological capabilities, our manufacturing systems span offer industry-quality production of polymer, metal, and ceramic structures. Each of our systems provide unique capabilities, which enables truly innovative solutions to any problem. From voxel-based multi-material polymer manufacturing to hybrid-AM creation of metal structures, CIMP-3D is a one-stop-shop for all things AM.

METALS
POLYMERS

Supporting Systems

After printing is complete, CIMP-3D dedicated supporting systems help ensure that all builds are of the highest quality.

This includes CT scanning equipment to help inspect every inch of a final part, materials characterization and testing to understand the final properties of a build, and post-processing equipment to help ensure that all final parts are built exactly to specification.

INSPECTION
CHARACTERIZATION
POST-PROCESSING

Software

CIMP-3D has access to cutting-edge software specifically tailored to supporting AM technology.

This includes robust design programs capable of creating complex, optimized topologies, build preparation software allowing staff to control and plan every aspect of an AM print, and analysis software to help predict the form and behavior of final structures before a print has even started.

DESIGN
BUILD
ANALYSIS

Penn State Resources

CIMP-3D utilizes the vast resources of both the Applied Research Laboratory and the Pennsylvania State University. This includes various capabilities for post processing, as well as material characterization and encompasses competencies within the Penn State Materials Research Institute (MRI), the Penn State Materials Science and Engineering (MATSE) department, the Penn State Center for Innovative Sintered Products (CISP), and the Penn State Center for Quantitative Imaging (CQI). These are fully-staffed laboratories, where researchers are able to use state-of-the-art instruments for materials characterization on a fee-for-use basis. The extensive processing and characterization capabilities present at Penn State includes:

  • Machining and fabrication (CNC multi-axis milling and turning, EDM, waterjet, welding)
  • Powder analysis (thermal, particle size, porosimetry, density, powder milling)
  • Inspection (profilometry, ellipsometry, CMM, volumetric X-ray CT)
  • Optical metallography (standard preparation, polishing, and microhardness)
  • Microscopy (visual, SEM, TEM, AFM, STM, FE-SEM, ESEM, OIM, EDS, FIB)
  • Surface analysis (XPS/ESCA, FE-Auger, EPMA, SIMS)
  • Structural analysis (XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis, XRR, SAXS)
  • Chemical analysis (ICP, ICP-MS, IC, UV-Vis)
  • Mechanical properties (tension, compression, bend, fatigue, environmental, creep)