The entire process chain in view

Tensile strength – How does the direction of pressure affect the achievable strength? (Source: Fraunhofer IPA, Photo: Rainer Bez)

Overhang angle – How pronounced can overhangs be to still be manufacturable? (Source: Fraunhofer IPA, Photo: Rainer Bez)

The 23rd User Forum – Additive Manufacturing Technologies, organized by the Konradin Media Group and the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology and Automation IPA on March 3rd, covers the entire process chain of additive manufacturing, highlights the advantages and disadvantages of various methods, and presents current trends.

On Mark Becker's desk are components made of stainless steel with various shapes and sizes: some vaguely resemble a V or a U, others are elongated and only a few millimeters thick, some are cubes with engraved numbers and letters or fine mesh grids. Many are finished with perfect detail, a few show errors. "Test prints," says Becker, a research associate in the Additive Manufacturing Processes for Thermoplastics group at Fraunhofer IPA.

The researcher and his colleagues have been working on the multi-stage production of metal parts over the past few months. They used Fused Layer Modeling followed by a heat treatment to produce bodies made of stainless steel 316L from a metal-containing polymer. "What do such parts cost to produce? How complex or small can the bodies be that you can make with this? How much volume loss occurs in the debinding oven, where the polymers vaporize, and in the sintering furnace, where the stainless steel densifies? How strong are the finished components? What density do they have? These are some of the questions we addressed with our experiments," says Becker. In addition to Fused Layer Modeling, other additive manufacturing processes can also be used. Their respective advantages include high build speed or resolution.

User forum covers entire process chain

Generally, 3D printing is a manufacturing technology that increases flexibility in production and enables the economical manufacturing of small series and single pieces. But which additive manufacturing process to choose in the end, which printers and ovens to purchase, or whether it is better to commission an external service provider – these questions should be carefully considered. Guidance is provided by the 23rd User Forum – Additive Manufacturing Technology, organized by Fraunhofer IPA and the Konradin Media Group on March 3, 2020.

The topics that experts from science and industry will discuss at the conference focus on the entire process chain of additive manufacturing: from data preparation through material handling and the manufacturing process to post-processing and quality assurance of components. Various additive manufacturing methods with their advantages and disadvantages will be discussed – mostly from the perspective of experienced users.

Guided tours of research laboratories

The full-day event is aimed equally at beginners seeking deeper insights into additive manufacturing processes and at professional users looking to learn about new trends or find solutions for specific problems. During breaks and after the presentations, there will be opportunities to network with scientists and company representatives. Additionally, there will be tours of the laboratories where Stuttgart researchers are investigating various additive manufacturing methods.

Registration for the 23rd User Forum – Additive Manufacturing Technology is still possible until February 21, 2020, at: http://s.fhg.de/Anwenderforum