toolcraft and Siemens develop porous structures with Additive Manufacturing
September 16, 2024
toolcraft AG, based in Georgensgmünd, Germany, and Siemens have created their first demonstrators for chemical reaction technology as part of the 3D-PROCESS project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, demonstrating the potential of porous material structures.
For a number of years, Siemens has worked to develop functionally optimised porous material structures via Additive Manufacturing. Similar to how a sugar cube absorbs liquid, porous metallic can also transport liquid using the same capillary forces. Thus far, Siemens’ researchers have successfully integrated functions (e.g. heat transport and cooling) directly into components using these AM porous structures.
“We see potential applications particularly in the process industry, in energy process engineering and in aerospace. But applications in mechanical engineering and medical technology are also possible,” explains Dr Karsten Heuser, Vice President Additive Manufacturing at Siemens Digital Industries. “With toolcraft, we have a long-standing partner at our side to now build the strategic bridge to industrial production of these sophisticated material structures. We are delighted that toolcraft can take on this role.”
toolcraft now aims to ensure that the resultant structures can be applied to all plant systems in compliance with industry standards and intends to further develop the technology as part of a technology transfer.
“We see enormous potential for the industry in the production of porous structures,” says Christoph Hauck, Chief Technology and Sales Officer at toolcraft. “In future, we cannot only envisage additively manufactured components with this technology. AMbitious will offer training courses on the topic in the future so that we can pass on our expertise.”
What porous structures can do
Precise porous metal parts can be produced using Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) Additive Manufacturing, where the pore size and distribution can be controlled precisely. The aim is to optimise the structural and functional requirements of components that are often difficult to achieve using conventional manufacturing methods. Permeable, yet metallically stable structures, for example, can equalise excess pressure, control temperatures more effectively and absorb liquids.
Porous properties are also helpful when it comes to guiding objects along metal. Using supplied air, objects can float on an air film along a low-friction sliding surface without wearing down the surfaces.
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