3d printed radio frequency absorber

Abstract

Described is a system for producing a three-dimensional (3D) printed radio frequency (RF) absorber. The system includes a computer configured to produce a computer model and a 3D printer. The 3D printer has an extruder controlled by a motor directed by the computer to deposit melted plastic filament loaded with a RF absorber material in computer controlled patterns according to the computer model to produce a RF absorber having a custom profile of desired RF absorption properties and desired dielectric properties.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system, comprising:
 a computer configured to produce a computer model; and   a three-dimensional (3D) printer having at least one extruder controlled by a motor directed by the computer to deposit melted plastic filament loaded with a radio frequency (RF) absorber material in computer controlled patterns according to the computer model to produce a RF absorber having a custom profile of desired RF absorption properties and desired dielectric properties.   
     
     
         2 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the produced RF absorber comprises at least one region of RF absorber material and at least one region of plastic. 
     
     
         3 . The system as in  claim 2 , wherein the produced RF absorber comprises more regions of plastic than RF absorber material. 
     
     
         4 . The system as in  claim 2 , wherein the produced RF absorber comprises more regions of RF absorber material than plastic. 
     
     
         5 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the produced RF absorber comprises air gaps with a relative permittivity of E r =1.0. 
     
     
         6 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the produced RF absorber comprises an anti-reflection coating having the custom profile of desired RF absorption properties and desired dielectric properties, wherein the anti-reflection coating comprises a thickness and dielectric constant for reflected wave cancellation. 
     
     
         7 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the produced RF absorber fits inside of a waveguide.