Advanced Friction additive manufacturing

Revolutionary new technology

AFAM is a relatively new type of extrusion friction semi-solid additive manufacturing technology. It belongs to the lower-level basic research category and has a wide application range. The mechanism is very similar to FSW and FSAM, but AFAM technology integrates friction stir welding. Mechanism of FSW, MA and forging. It has many excellent features, such as: the use of existing light alloy materials, material grades, cheap, wide material system, high additive efficiency, good sample quality, environmentally friendly and pollution-free. AFAM breaks through the limitations of conventional high-energy hot-melt additive technology. In the semi-solid state (liquid-solid factor: 0.8-0.95[12]), the additive can effectively avoid the high-temperature melting of the solidification process. Problems with inclusions, high temperature oxidation, thermal stress and density.

Simple

The AFAM concept is concise and clear. The patented “horizontal” and “vertical” modes with logic methods combine advanced materials with mature machining technology.

Mature

AFAM can use existing FSW equipment and milling machines, so the investment on existing high quality, good reliability machine and mature technology like CAD modeling, CAM tool path processing are inherited. It also makes the migration to AM faster and lowered the entry barrier.

CAD MODEL

Trace Verification

Code Generating

AFAM Processing

Quality test

With existing machine

High Quality

AFAM simplifies the FSW metal flow and heat generation model, resulting in more uniform flow, higher material consistency, and less internal stress.

Metal Flow & Heat Generating Model

Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) graph

200 μm; BC+E1-3; Step = 1.5; Grid 385*289

Early Block Samples

The tensile strength test

Table of 6061 AFAM Samples ​

Series Wide (mm) Depth (MM) Area (mm) MAX Fm(kN) Tensile strength Rm(MPa) ElongationA(%) Yield (kN) Yield strength (MPa)
1
9.680
4.380
42.400
6.40
150.943
15.36
4.60
108.49
2
12.440
5.090
63.320
17.90
282.691
3.04
17.80
281.11
3
12.420
2.860
35.520
11.80
332.207
12.40
10.60
298.42
4
12.420
3.980
49.430
15.60
315.598
10.16
14.40
291.32
5
12.420
3.370
41.860
13.50
322.504
8.84
12.30
293.84
6
12.420
3.080
38.250
12.40
324.183
8.96
11.00
287.58

Great Value

AFAM additive processing features include: high quality, high efficiency, low power consumption, low cost, and environmental friendliness. The AFAM technology invention provides new value-added opportunities for investment in subtractive machines. The ability to work with existing materials and equipment makes it a super cost-effective additive manufacturing solution.

AFAM application levels Devices Additive functions Partners AFAM Strengthening mechanisms
AFAM-Open

Entry level application

FSW Machine or Mill

+ AFAM Tool

Solid/semi-solid friction additive manufacture R&D ability

AFAM side additive mode

Cube , cuboid & Samples Printing

FSW / FSAM

Mechanism research

Material research

Process development

Application development

Fine grain
AFAM-Closed

Intermedium level application

FSW Machine or Mill

+ AFAM Tool

+ AFAM Translator & Closed set

+ C axis

+ Fixation & process equipment
All of the above

+ Antioxidation

+ Loop-forming element

+ sphere composited

All of the above

+ higher property

Fine Grain

+ Solid Solution

AFAM-Embedded

Advanced level application

5 Axis FSW Machine or Mill Strengthened

+ Embedded AFAM Set

+ Fixer & process equipment
All of the above

+ Common shape parts

+ AFAM combined strengthening

All of the above

Device vendor

Big AFAM part manufacture

Fine Grain

+ Solid Solution

+ Deformation

AFAM Tool Samples
AFAM Application Levels Tool Samples
AFAM-I -In stock

 
AFAM-II -Developing Now

AFAM-III -Solution

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