Timothy W. Simpson
Timothy W. Simpson
Additive Manufacturing and Metal Casting
How is additive manufacturing disrupting metal casting? A hybrid approach to consider.
July 4, 2019 - Timothy W. Simpson
Hybrid Manufacturing
Additive Manufacturing for Hard Tooling
Hybrid manufacturing is enabling tooling to be made with additive processes.
June 27, 2019 - Timothy W. Simpson
AM Technology
Combining Additive and Subtractive Processes for Hybrid Manufacturing
At this point, we are still learning how to combine the two to optimize hybrid manufacturing.
May 29, 2019 - Timothy W. Simpson
AM Technology
Additive Manufacturing with Wire
This system has the benefits of cheaper cost and easier handling. But there can be some drawbacks as well.
April 26, 2019 - Timothy W. Simpson
AM Technology
Three Cool Uses for Directed Energy Deposition
Most machining professionals don’t like to admit that they ever make mistakes, but every now and then wouldn’t it be nice to have an “eraser” to go back and repair a gouge or fix a nicked edge? Or maybe you took off a bit too much material on that last machining pass and you’d like to add it back? Well, directed energy deposition (DED) enables you to do that and more.
March 28, 2019 - Timothy W. Simpson
Metal AM
What Is Directed Energy Deposition?
Analyzing directed energy deposition and powder-bed fusion provides a thorough understanding of the extra machining necessary for a “near-net shape” versus a “net shape” manufacturing process.
February 15, 2019 - Timothy W. Simpson
AM Technology
Additive Manufacturing for Large Parts
Powder-bed fusion is driving the hype for additive manufacturing right now, but it may not be the best answer. Directed energy deposition is a strong contender.
January 30, 2019 - Timothy W. Simpson
Postprocessing
Options for Finishing and Postprocessing Metal 3D-Printed Parts
There is a host of technologies available for finishing and postprocessing your AM parts. This column identifies options beyond machining.
December 19, 2018 - Timothy W. Simpson
Basics
Can My Machine Tool Access My Support Structures?
Analyzing the machinability of support structures opens a new way of thinking about optimal build orientation.
November 19, 2018 - Timothy W. Simpson
Basics
Understanding Surface Finish of Metal 3D-Printed Parts
Additive manufacturing imposes inherent manufacturing and design challenges that impact the dimensions and tolerances that you can (or cannot) achieve on an “as built” part.
October 24, 2018 - Timothy W. Simpson
Metal AM
How Machining Support Structures Affects the Cutting Tool
Studies show that thin-walled additively manufactured support structures may be more challenging to machine than they might appear.
September 19, 2018 - Timothy W. Simpson
Metal AM
How Machinable Are Support Structures in a Metal 3D-Printed Part?
What happens when you cut away thin-walled supports on your metal 3D-printed part?
August 27, 2018 - Timothy W. Simpson