Abstract

In this project, the EPMAN group developed an extrusion head optimized for the additive manufacturing of metal/polymer composite filaments (MEX/M), addressing three critical aspects of the process: filament feeding, heating of the liquefaction chamber, and the geometric limitations of conventional nozzles. Alternative prototypes were designed and evaluated for each of these aspects, and their performance was compared with that of currently available commercial systems, achieving Technology Readiness Level TRL3. The results will provide a foundation for future developments aimed at making MEX/M a viable industrial alternative to processes such as metal/polymer injection molding.