Multi-stack spark plasma sintering parallel manufacturing

Abstract

Systems and methods herein provide for an increased throughput and consistency of the spark plasma sintering (SPS) process. One SPS system includes an electrical energy source, and a first SPS module that includes a first die operable to shape a first wafer, and first and second punches operable to compress the first wafer into the first die using electrical energy from the electrical energy source. A second SPS module is stacked atop the first SPS module. and includes a second die operable to shape a second wafer; and third and fourth punches operable to compress the second wafer into the second die using electrical energy from the electrical energy source. The system also includes a controller operable to independently provide the electrical energy from the electrical energy source to each of the first and second SPS modules to provide a substantially even thermal distribution through the first and second wafers.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.