Ohio-based metal 3D printing company Fabrisonic has been granted a patent to use its ultrasonic additive manufacturing in a hybrid machine with CNC milling. FabrisonicÂ’s ultrasonic additive manufacturing technology uses sound vibrations to merge layers of metal foils.
This process aims to enable welding of dissimilar metals at much lower temperatures, meaning electronics can be embedded into structures. It is claimed that this would not be possible with other metal 3D printing technologies as traditionally, very high temperatures are required.
Ultrasonic additive manufacturing also allows for 3D printing at a high-speed. Fabrisonic state that their SonicLayer UAM machines can print fifteen to thirty cubic inches per hour.