Beam Deposition Processes

Abstract

Beam deposition (BD) processes enable the creation of parts by melting and deposition of material from powder or wire feedstock. Although this basic approach can work for polymers, ceramics, and metal matrix composites, it is predominantly used for metal powders. Thus, this technology is often referred to as “metal deposition” technology. To avoid limiting the readers’ understanding to just metal build materials, however, we will refer to this category of processes as beam deposition processes.