I’m exploring the Arcam EBM process for fabricating the magrid.
Our current scale is within their build envelope (250 x 250 x 400 mm and 350 x 350 x 250 mm).
Their process creates a fully solid / fully melted part using Ti6Al4V Titanium Alloy.
Titanium is non magnetic (paramagnetic). GOOD
Titanium has low outgassing (I _assume_). Not seeing good information on this, but I see articles about low outgassing. GOOD
The fully melted part should be vacuum tight. GOOD
Titanium can be welded, but it’s complicated. Gas shielding is required. WORKABLE
Titanium is difficult to machine. It requires specialized tools. It’s tough and springy. Too hot and it reacts chemically. The magrid part is likely too delicate to be secured for machining. We can still lap sand the faces for better mating. BAD/WORKABLE.
Titanium is strong. GOOD
Titanium is beautiful. GOOD
The part would be highly conformal. I do not expect the warping as with the prometal magrid. GOOD
Price. This same part would cost around $2500. Better get it right the first time. WORKABLE
Although it’s a path fraught with peril, it could lead to a fully functional superconducting magrid.
Prometheus Fusion Perfection 