While much media attention has been on 3D printing technology, the other additive manufacturing technologies have been busy. Paramount Industries, Inc., a rapid deployment, product development, and manufacturing services company, for example, has been working on its Conformal Lattice Structures (CLS™), an innovative method for reinforcing components to achieve substantial weight to strength ratios. It’s a proprietary manufacturing technology for direct digital manufacturing through laser sintering.

Unlike traditional uniform lattice structures, conformal lattice structures align unit cells along force directions to achieve predictable behavior, a more efficient starting design, and a higher aesthetic appeal. This technology enables the optimization of the unit cells and lattice structure, predicts mechanical performance, and takes advantage of freeform geometrics. The goal for CLS™ methodology is to attain repeatable results through orientation, material quality control, thermal control, process control, and mechanical performance.

Paramount claims that it will benefit the defense and aerospace industries, providing a lighter, easily applicable material with the potential for multi-functional capabilities. Strength, heat conduction, vibration absorption, and impact absorption are all possible capabilities for CLS™ technology.

At this year’s Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) meeting, Paramount received the AMUG Technical Competition Award for Advanced Concepts for its entry, “Conformal Lattice Structures (CLS™) for Unmanned Air Vehicles via Laser Sintering.” The annual competition recognizes industry leaders.

AMUG is an organization for owners and operators of additive manufacturing equipment. It was established to encourage and coordinate technical information exchange between owners and operators of additive manufacturing equipment, including but not limited to, 3D Systems, EOS Electro Optical Systems, Objet Geometries, Stratasys, and Z Corporation. AMUG meets annually to provide a forum for presentation of papers relating to the dissemination of processes and new technologies related to the operation of additive manufacturing equipment and the secondary or final application of parts or/and tools made from these systems.

Paramount will showcase CLS at the RAPID Exhibition and Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota May 23-26, BOOTH #510.

Paramount Industries, Inc.
www.paramountind.com