Скачать или смотреть IMS2025 Tutorial Series: Additive Manufacturing: Emerging Opportunities for Microwave Components

Additive Manufacturing (AM), commonly referred to as 3D printing, offers several advantages, including rapid prototyping, enhanced design flexibility, and the ability to create customized components at potentially lower costs. However, its application in microwave devices presents unique challenges, as these technologies were not specifically intended for this type of use. As a result, specific adaptations and post-processing steps are often necessary.
Among the various AM technologies available, this presentation will focus on two: Stereolithography (SLA) and Selective Laser Melting (SLM). By examining examples of microwave components manufactured using these techniques, we will highlight some key advantages and potential applications of AM—for instance, the ability to create complex geometries that are difficult or even impossible to achieve with traditional manufacturing methods. Another significant benefit is the possibility of producing monolithic cavity components, eliminating the need for assembly screws and flanges—something unfeasible with conventional techniques such as drilling. Through these examples, the importance of post-processing and AM-oriented design will also be demonstrated.