Solid freeform fabrication methods for engineering ceramics

During the last few years a new generation of solid ;freeform fabrication (SFF) methods have been investigated for forming engineering ceramics and their composites. SFF allows the rapid computer aided mouldless manufacture of engineering ceramics by the addition of material to, rather than the subtraction of material from, the part being produced. Laminated ceramic object manufacturing, fused deposition of ceramics, 3D ceramic printing, direct ceramic ink jet printing, and electrostatic atomisation of ceramic inks are some of the methods that have: been investigated recently. The present paper reviews briefly the recent developments in SFF of ceramics and presents a summary of the ongoing research on ink jet printing and electrostatic atomisation underway. BCT/304. (C) 1998 The Institute of Materials.