Atlas Copco and Conflux conclude heat exchanger Additive Manufacturing project
August 22, 2020
Atlas Copco, Nacka, Sweden, and Conflux Technology, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia, have concluded an eighteen-month collaborative project on the Additive Manufacturing of heat exchangers. The project focused on part consolidation and performance, with a corresponding business case evaluation.
Atlas Copco produces portable and stationary air compressor solutions. Conflux Technology’s Additive Manufacturing business focuses solely in the design and development of heat exchangers. The company employs a team of scientists and engineers specialised in thermo- and fluid dynamics, engineering design and metal AM process optimisation.
To conduct the project, the company analysed an existing Atlas Copco product subsystem and designed an alternative solution that streamlined the system by consolidating multiple braised, welded and bolted parts into monolithic AM parts. The company then demonstrated the parts’ performance improvement potential and carried out a business case analysis, providing input for future technology investment decisions within Atlas Copco.
“Efficiency gains in heat exchange requires substantial innovation,” explained Luc de Beul, VP New Business Technologies, Atlas Copco. “In Conflux we found a highly inventive company that has expertise in fundamental thermophysical modelling, engineering design creativity and AM process knowhow.”
“Conflux conducted a highly professional program and could cope with the risks that materialised during this challenging project,” he commented. “A great deal of insight was gained that gives input to our AM roadmap.”
“Conflux heat exchangers derive their performance from highly complex geometries that make use of the inherent freedoms afforded by Additive Manufacturing,” added Michael Fuller, Conflux Technology Founder and CEO.
“Our team of scientists and engineers developed a highly innovative heat exchange application that improved fundamental thermal efficiencies whilst consolidating the system level bill of materials. I look forward to future collaborations with Atlas Copco as they continue on their journey with Additive Manufacturing.”
