Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems

Spotlight on Research - Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS) Process

Recent innovations in digital design and manufacturing of advanced materials and components have stimulated an important growth of the solid freeform fabrication technologies in modern industry. The laser engineered net shaping (LENS) process is a particular example of these technologies that may preclude any part-specific tooling. The LENS process involves a high power laser beam irradiating flowing powdered metallic streams. From computer aided design solid models, three-dimensional components with gradients in compositions can be made line-by-line within an accuracy of 0.2 mm and a density close to 100%.

The Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems at Mississippi State University is actively promoting development of novel technologies related to the LENS process. A large class of metal alloys has been used to fabricate parts with the LENS process. These materials include low-alloy steels, stainless-steels, and titanium alloys.

A multi-disciplinary team was established at CAVS including a number of students, staff and faculty with various expertises such as solidification/thermal phenomena, material science, mathematics, solid mechanics, and electrical engineering. This interdependent team tackled an up-to-date industrial challenge and created an-easy-recognizable link between fundamental, applied and educational backgrounds.