Successful addtive manufacturing of glass by Diffusion Bonding

Using a specially designed glass cube, we demonstrate the potential of diffusion bonding and the exciting results that can be achieved with this process for glass materials. After the initial design of the cube and its internal channels, the component is digitally broken down into 50 individual layers. Using waterjet cutting, each quartz glass layer is precisely machined and cut at the points where internal geometries are to be located later. The 50 individual layers are then stacked on top of one another and loaded into our PVA TePla furnace system.  

During diffusion bonding in the furnace, the 50 individual layers bond together under pressure. After the furnace cycle, a transparent glass body is formed that contains no joints or intermediate layers inside. The diffusion-bonded component is hermetically sealed, and liquids or gases can be channeled through its internal channels.