MELD exploits plastic deformation of metals with non-melt AM process

Additive manufacturing (AM) has been a catalyst in improving speed and efficiency during the product development process. However, the technology has been limited in the size and materials available to be produced. MELD Manufacturing believes it has the remedy for these limitations, and it has garnered numerous accolades for its patented MELD process, including the 2018 “Create the Future” award in the Robotics/Automation/Manufacturing category. The design contest is produced by Tech Briefs Media Group.

While additive manufacturing has thus far relied on melting materials to produce custom components, the MELD process does not require taking metals up to their melting points. Instead, materials are brought to their plastic deformation state and then formed into the desired shape. By not melting the materials, MELD believes it is taking additive manufacturing beyond just an evolutionary step.