Wout De Backer, Ph.D
Assistant Professor
PI - AMCODE Laboratory
Department of Mechanical Engineering
McNair Aerospace Center
Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing
University of South Carolina
Experience
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AMCODE Lab
AMCODE: Additive Manufacturing, Composites & Design Engineering Laboratory
To integrate design, advanced materials, and manufacturing automation
and lead advancement of composite structures and scalable production technologies.
| AMCODE is a USC research laboratory focused on fusion- and extrusion-based additive manufacturing, composite processing, and integrated design engineering. The lab develops and deploys FFF-based manufacturing workflows for polymer and composite components, including engineering thermoplastics and fiber-reinforced systems. Its signature continuous fiber additive manufacturing process combines material development, robotic deposition, and process control for structural applications. AMCODE distinguishes itself through vertical integration of material production, robotic multi-axis deposition, and industrial automation in one academic environment. Digital design and toolpath optimization translate design intent into scalable manufacturing, from fundamental process development to applied prototyping. |
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Contact
OFFICE LOCATION
AMCODE Laboratory
SmartState Center for Multi-functional Materials & Structures
McNair Aerospace Center, Ste. 150
1000 Catawba St.
Columbia SC 29201
Email
wdbacker@cec.sc.edu
Research Interests
Signature Technology: Multi-axis Continuous Fiber Additive Manufacturing
MACFAM, Multi-Axis Continuous Fiber Additive Manufacturing, enables structural, orientation-controlled composite parts that bridge desktop AM with industrial composite production. AMCODE vertically integrated a multi-axis composite AM platform, connecting material development, digital process planning, and robotic deposition within a unified workflow:
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AMCODE supports an end-to-end development from precursor fiber, to filament, to printing, to a functional part.
The AMCODE Process
Fundamental research and development, grounded in applied research:
- Proof-of-concept studies
- Generalized design & sizing studies, applied to design cases
- Process modeling & simulation, with experimental validation
- Manufacturing process parameter optimization, applied materials
Advancing technologies from TRL 2 to TRL 6 through prototypes
Recent Projects
- Automated Composite Repair
- Large format additive manufacturing
- Overprinting of continuous carbon and optical fibers and sensors
- Automated plasma treatment
- Cold spray repair
- Tooling printing & evaluation for AFP
