From scrap to parts: creating a circular economy for additive manufacturing in a traditional steel fabrication facility

Additive manufacturing (AM), also known as metal 3D printing, can revolutionize the way we make things by ‘printing’ parts one layer at a time using a laser and metal powder. However, AM is an inherently expensive process. One of the major costs of the process is the metal powders, with some powders costing hundreds of dollars per kilogram. The objective of this project is to investigate the economic and technical feasibility of using metal powders that are produced from scrap metal as an input for AM (i.e., creating a circular economy), and understanding how the use of recycled metal could impact the quality and performance of printed parts. This research project is being conducted in collaboration with the TEBO Group of Companies in Vancouver. The outcomes of this project are expected to produce economic benefits for TEBO, in the form of developing low-cost inputs for AM processes, and environmental benefits by re-directing the flow of low-value scrap metal toward the production of high value metal powder instead of to the landfill.

Faculty Supervisor:

Michael Benoit

Student:

Partner:

TEBO Group of Industries

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Construction and infrastructure

University:

The University of British Columbia - Okanagan; University of Waterloo

Program: