3-D printed lightweight microwave waveguide devices

This paper provides an overview of five 3-D printed microwave passive circuits operating at frequencies ranging from X-band to W-band. These circuits were produced from polymers using stereolithography printing and were coated with copper via electroplating. Such polymer-based circuits exhibit significantly reduced weights compared with those made from metal. In addition, 3-D printing offers great flexibility and allows new designs to be constructed. Examples of these novel designs will be described and measurements of some designs will be presented.