Research on Manufacturing the Metal Foams with Regular Cells by 3D Printing

In the paper the methods of designing and manufacturing of the metals foam with regular cells are researched. The software models of metals foam are designed by CAD. The models are transmitted into 3D printing machine to manufacture foam framework. The metal foams with regular cells and fixed porosities are manufactured by chemical plating, electric plating and investment cast. According to the applications the structures of metal foams can be designed to control sizes, shapes and distribution of pores, porosities, density and to control the properties of metals foam, which can satisfy various demands of applications. Nickel foam with regular cells is designed and manufactured by this method.