Millimeter-Wave Components Based on Gap Waveguide Using Additive Manufacturing

This paper shows additive manufacturing as an advantageous option for manufacturing and designing components based on gap waveguide. 3D printing increases the degree of freedom in structural design because its complexity has no impact on the cost of production. This makes 3D printing an ideal manufacturing method for small devices with intricate details, such as the designs proposed in groove gap waveguide for W -band. In addition, the plating process of the printed plastic structure results in a very thin and smooth copper layer which produces very low losses.