Laminated Object Manufacturing LOM

LOM Laminated Object Manufacturing is a lesser known 3D printing technology. Its hallmark
is the ability to produce large parts cheaply LOM 3D printers can use adhesive-laminated paper
sheets as raw material. However, it also has other pluses, as well as certain disadvantages,
stemming both from the technological process and materials used.

The LOM 3D Printing Process, Step by Step:

1. A sheet of laminated material is unwound from a feed roll onto the platform or substrate.
2. A heated roller then melts the laminate, affixing this sheet of material to the substrate.
3. A laser or knife is used to trace out the layers outline.
4. The laser or knife then cuts a border around the build containing the desired part and
cross-hatches non-part areas so removing waste material is easier. The extra material is
then wound up on a take-up roll.
5. The platform with completed layers moves down, and fresh material is rolled over it.
6. The whole process is repeated.
7. When the build is completed, the platform and the part are removed from the machine.
8. The part is removed from the platform.
9. Finally, the frame and supports are removed from the part.

NAME PARTS OF MACHINE

Material
1. Paper (most common)
2. Plastics
3. Composites
4. Metals
5. Ceramics

Process Advantages
Accuracy--Since materials used in the LOM process are in sheet form and the process does not
subject them to either physical nor chemical phase changes, the finished LOM parts do not
experience shrinkage, warpage, internal stress, and other deformations.

A precise X-Y positioning table is used to guide the laser beam resulting in production of
accurate parts. Accuracy of 0.010" is easily achieved regardless of the size of the part.

Speed--The LOM process does not convert liquid polymers to solid plastics nor does it convert
plastic powders into sintered objects, but instead it uses existing solid sheet materials which are
glued using a hot roller and cut with a laser beam.

Unlike competitive technologies such as Stereolithography and Selective Laser Sintering, the
laser in the LOM process does not have to scan the entire surface area of each cross-section,
rather it only has to outline its periphery. Therefore, parts with thick walls are produced Just as
fast as those with thin walls.

The LOM process is especially advantageous for production of large and bulky parts which are
often encountered in the aerospace and automotive industries. The reason for this unique
advantage is the fact that the core manufacturing material does not need to be formed since the
laser merely determines the geometrical shape by removing excess material.

Variety of Materials--Paper, plastics, composites, and ceramics can be used in the LOM systems.
Commercial availability of various sheet materials allow the users to vary the type and thickness
of the manufacturing material for their specific applications.

Paper is the simplest and least expensive material, and it produces rigid and durable parts which
have properties similar to plywood. Plastic films are more expensive and they result in parts
which are more flexible.

Special adhesive pre-impregnated composite materials are currently under development targeted
to producing high strength functional prototypes and small batches of working components.

Simplicity--The simplicity of the LOM process and systems allow them to be practical
extensions to many manufacturing and design environments. LOM machines can be thought of
as peripheral devices to a CAD workstation, allowing any designer to output any design directly
to an LOM system. The need to create additional support structures is completely eliminated
with the process; something which is essential for competitive stereolithography systems.
Disadvantages
1. Need for decubing, which requires a lot of labor
2. Emission of smoke or fumes
3. Can be a fire hazard
4. finish, accuracy and stability of paper objects not as good as materials used with other RP
methods
Review repair
Review repair to do is to provide for the smoke leechers issued inhale during the cutting process.
furthermore the machine must have an emergency button to prevent fires from occurring.

TYPE OF PRODUCT

Conclusion.
The LOM process is quite straightforward and the user does not need to have any specific
knowledge of chemistry, physics, mechanics or electronics in order to operate the machine. The
systems are designed using standard electromechanical components which makes them easy to
maintain and troubleshoot.

Reference
http://www.jobshop.com/techinfo/papers/lamobjman.shtml
http://rpworld.net/cms/index.php/additive-manufacturing/rp-rapid-prototyping/-lom-laminatedobject-manufacturing-.html