Ion Fusion Formation: An Alternative Additive Manufacturing Approach

Honeywell has developed a new approach to Solid Free-form Fabrication called Ion Fusion Formation (IFF), a Direct Metal Deposition (DMD) process. This is a near-net-shape hardware manufacturing process that uses a very hot ionized gas to deposit metal in small discreet amounts and ultimately build a complete part. Components can be used as-deposited or post-deposition processed to gain some improvement in properties and then final machined. The process has low initial capital, maintenance and operating cost and is user friendly. Other forms of SFF use expensive lasers or electron beam for their heat source. IFF uses inexpensive electrical energy to generate power for fusion.