Product Code: ICA10_1402

Additive Manufacturing of Functional Components – Recent Developments and Challenges for the Future
Authors:
Thomas Rechtenwald, Bayerisches Laserzentrum GmbH; Erlangen Germany
Thomas Frick, Bayerisches Laserzentrum GmbH; Erlangen Germany
Cornelius von Wilmowsky, Fredrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg; Erlangen Germany
Dirk Pohle, Institute of Polymer Materials, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen Nuremberg; Erlangen Germany
Philipp Amend, Bayerisches Laserzentrum GmbH; Erlangen Germany
Claudia Pscherer, Bayerisches Laserzentrum GmbH; Erlangen Germany
Michael Schmidt, Chair of Photonic Technologies, University of Erlangen-Nuernberg; Erlangen Germany
Presented at ICALEO 2010

Additive manufacturing techniques are becoming more and more widespread in industry during the last years due to their high flexibility regarding part geometry. Although the limited choice of applicable materials in combination with process restrictions lead to manufactured parts with low mechanical stability which are mainly used as prototypes. Recent developments aim for the increase of geometrical accuracy, mechanical properties and geometrical flexibility in order to produce components which can be used as functional parts for industrial applications. This paper presents the challenges in manufacturing functional parts and discusses results on new techniques and materials in order to achieve this aim. It specially focuses on the industrial relevant technologies of laser sintering and stereolithography. In the field of laser sintering new thermoplastic materials for the fabrication of parts are presented whereas the new technology `’embedded stereolithography’ is shown which allows the fabrication of complex mechatronical modules in one machine. Based on the presented findings an outlook will be given which shows the necessary work for the future.