AM in Motion: On Land, on Water, and in the Air
As diverse as the various forms of mobility are, the potential applications of AM in mobility can be equally varied. Fraunhofer IAPT addresses the specific needs of the aerospace industry, automotive industry, shipping industry, and railway vehicle industry.
Both in the automotive industry and aerospace, CO2 emissions are a relevant topic that plays a role not only socially but also economically. Lightweight solutions are ideally suited for additive manufacturing in this context. For example, in the automotive industry, tool-less and rapid prototyping can significantly shorten the time to market readiness.
To leverage the advantages of AM, the complete AM process chain is important. Automated software solutions can optimize the design freedom of AM for highly specific functional requirements of satellite components, for example, and component designs can be tailored to withstand specific loads. The development of customized AM software is crucial for maximizing the manufacturing capabilities of AM.
Especially in highly regulated industries such as aerospace or railway vehicles, ensuring the quality of components plays a significant role. We offer tailored quality assurance concepts depending on the component criticality. This not only ensures quality but also significantly reduces the effort for certification. Digital twins complement quality assurance throughout the manufacturing of components as well as tracking in later applications.
Downtimes in aircraft or railway operations can cost providers several thousand euros per day. It is crucial to offer fast and uncomplicated solutions in these cases. The combination of physical and digital production in additive manufacturing also offers many advantages for spare part manufacturing during downtime. It allows bypassing physical warehouses and significantly reducing the commitment of liquid funds. With a cross-process understanding in technology comparison, we can identify the appropriate use cases and business cases for additive manufacturing together with software solutions.
Every application requires the appropriate post-processing, depending on whether the AM component will be directly visible in the aircraft cabin, train, or car, or if it will be additionally coated. We work on suitable methods for smoothing and preparing surfaces, depending on the technology and material. For us, post-processing begins in the design process to create the necessary prerequisites for post-processing from the beginning. With our expertise in both physical and digital process chains, we are happy to collaborate with you on your developments, tailored to your industry and needs.