Large scale AM is an innovative, challenging research field enabling the production of wide parts with complex structures, and specific functional or structural properties. Among the various additive manufacturing (AM) techniques, the indirect AM powder bed technique has been successfully used in inorganic materials manufacturing. Different fields of application (e.g., construction, fire resistance, marine protection, urban environment, art and architecture, ecc) can be satisfied with specific advantages.
In the current research, carried out in collaboration with the company Desamanera srl, geopolymeric formulations were developed and employed to fabricate components (moulds and supports) for the Murano artisan glassmaking sector. To achieve the target properties, the dry powder mix was comprised of specific aggregates, reactive binder and byproduct. The printing mix was activated by the selective deposition of liquids (e.g., water or alkaline solution). The reaction parameters were controlled in order to achieve an adequate setting time enabling rapid printing with a suitable resolution, and the building up of a structure at the macro-scale (meter-size).
The production process and the printing parameters were simultaneously adapted to the specific conditions. The main chemical, physical, mechanical characteristics of the printed parts were investigated. Finally, the industrial application was also studied and verified within the artistic glass factories. This work was carried out in the framework of the D3Vero project (POR-FESR Fondo Europeo di Sviluppo Regionale 2014-2020)