Manufacturing of mechanical elements with properties of metamaterials using 3D printing technology

Abstract

Metamaterials are materials engineered to have properties that are not found in naturally occurring materials, which opens a wide range of opportunities for creation of materials with completely new functionalities. Auxetics which are a type of metamaterials are unique because they are engineered to have a negative Poisson’s ratio whereas naturally occurring materials have a positive one. Auxetics have shown some really promising energy absorption properties which can be widely applicable in e.g.: automotive (crash absorbers, suspension parts), medicine (prosthetics), clothing (shoe soles). Moreover, they are showing other properties superior to conventional materials such as: increased shear modulus better acoustic behaviour improved fracture toughness and other. Methods of modelling in CATIA V5 software and various manufacturing methods with the use of 3D printing technologies like MSLA (Masked Stereolithography Apparatus), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) are presented.