3-D printing method for producing tungsten-based shielding parts

A method of additively fabricating an electromagnetic shielding element comprising the steps of:

• providing data defining one or more parameters of an electromagnetic shielding element to a computer aided design program;
• generating as digital model of the electromagnetic shielding element from the one or more parameters;
• transmitting the digital model of the electromagnetic shielding element to a computer aided printing program;
• generating a three dimensional printing pathway for forming the electromagnetic shielding element according to the digital model;
• transmitting the three dimensional printing pathway to the three dimensional printing tool;
• providing to the three dimensional printing tool a quantity of a compound consisting of a substantially pure volume of tungsten substantially evenly distributed throughout a polymeric matrix, wherein the compound comprises at least 90 percent tungsten by weight and equal to or less than 60 percent tungsten by volume;
• dispensing from the three dimensional printing tool, the compound into a predetermined location according to the printing pathway, wherein the predetermined location defines the shape of the electromagnetic shielding element;
• and
• curing the compound to form a hardened compound comprising the volume of tungsten substantially evenly distributed throughout a single uninterrupted layer of the polymeric matrix in a hardened state to define the electromagnetic shielding element, wherein the electromagnetic shielding element has a density substantially equivalent to lead and exhibits and x-ray radiation attenuation property substantially equivalent to lead.