The Additive Manufacturing Center was established at the University of Connecticut (UConn) in April 2013 in partnership with Pratt & Whitney to advance additive-manufacturing (AM) research and development. The facility recently expanded their capabilities by adding a material testing and simulation system that combines high-temperature capabilities with high-speed deformation.

The Gleeble 3500 will be used to characterize new materials and optimize manufacturing processes. Data and insight gathered the Gleeble can be successfully transferred to plant production lines, reducing the cost, risk and time associated with developing new processes or materials. Of particular interest to the researchers at UConn is the system’s ability to simulate the AM process as well as generate material performance data to better inform computer modeling simulations. This close association of physical simulation and computer modeling is critical for the refinement of metallic 3D-printing processes, alloy development and post-build material characterization.