CAMMDI
An interdisciplinary research and development Center that consists of world-class expertise in materials, manufacturing, engineering design, business management, and logistics.
The Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Design Integration (CAMMDI) is developing and transitioning new manufacturing technologies, providing workforce development, and improving the domestic manufacturing supply chain with a key role in strengthening advanced rural manufacturing in underdeveloped areas of Alabama.
Point-of-Need Manufacturing research and development at the University of Alabama is focusing on the production of items on demand at the location where the items are needed. This paradigm allows for radical transformation and simplification of traditional supply chains. This approach allows for the faster production of parts at a lower cost than can be achieved through traditional manufacturing methods. Research examples that our interdisciplinary team are advancing include:
SERVICES OFFERED BY CAMMDI
- Growing and facilitating UA’s research in manufacturing and materials science and engineering with metallic, ceramic, and composite materials
- Investing in Alabama’s engineering workforce of the future
- Enabling research partnerships between Industrial/Government sponsors and UA’s College of Engineering
- Offering research and engineering analysis and services
Machine Spotlight
VACUUM INDUCTION INERT GAS ATOMIZATION FOR METAL POWDER PRODUCTION
- PSI Hermiga 75/5 VI Inert Gas Atomizer
- Atomization of aluminum, lead, nickel, cobalt, iron, copper, silver, and zinc
- 1700°C maximum furnace temperature
- Small batch size – 5 Kg of steel/ 2Kg of Al for testing new powder compositions and size distributions
UA’S FOUNDRY AND METAL CASTING FACILITY
- 6,000 sq. ft foundry for education, research, and service
- Multiple induction furnaces 125 kW: 300lbs (ferrous), 100 lbs (ferrous/nickel), and 70lbs (nonferrous)
- Cold box molding and investment shell for up to a 36” max length
- Ability to perform 3D casting simulations using MAGMASOFT
COLD SPRAY ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
- VRC Metal Systems Gen III high pressure cold spray system combined with 6-axis robotics
- Can cold spray a variety of alloys including aluminum, ferrous, nickel, titanium, copper, and refractory metals
- In situ 4 kW laser assisted cold spray of deposited material before/during/after spray
ADDITIVE FRICTION STIR DEPOSITION
- MELD Manufacturing B8 AFSD machine
- Can deposit a variety of alloys including aluminum, magnesium ferrous, titanium, copper, and HEAs
- Large build envelope (36” x 12” x 12”)
LASER POWDER BED ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
- AconityMIDI laser powder bed fusion
- 1kW laser provides alloy flexibility and speed to deposit aluminum, nickel, iron, copper, titanium, and cobalt alloys
- Flexible print bed size: largest component possible (170 mm diameter by 200 mm height) or reduced volume (50 mm diameter by 50 mm height)
- Dual pyrometer system for dynamic temperature measurement/control during build process
THERMOMECHANICAL TESTING (GLEEBLE 3500D)
- Provide rapid heating and cooling of conductive materials
- Couple thermomechanical loading (tension/compression)
- Heat samples up to 3,000˚C in vacuum, argon, or air environments