Manufacturing of waveguide components for SatCom through selective laser melting

This paper presents the developments at CNR-IEIIT and IIT concerning microwave waveguide components manufactured through selective laser melting (SLM). The latter is an additive manufacturing process based on the selective melting of a metal powder bed through a laser. Application of this technology to the development of antenna-feed chains aimed at satellite communication (SatCom) is discussed. Description of the process and experimental activities for the assessment of the electromagnetic properties of parts are reported. Measured performance of Ku/K-band filters and Ku-band feed-horns manufactured through SLM will be presented. The results achieved prove that SLM can be a valuable technology both to develop novel components and to increase system integration.