TWI recognised for its work on PBF AM for the NANOTUN3D Project
August 17, 2020
TWI Ltd, headquartered in Great Abington, Cambridge, UK, reports that the European Innovation Radar, a support initiative that focuses on the identification of high-potential innovations in H2020 projects, as well as the key businesses in delivering these projects, has identified TWI and project partner APR Srl,Turin, Italy, as key innovators for the NANOTUN3D Project.
The NANOTUN3D Project, which was working to optimise Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) Additive Manufacturing for Ti-based nano-additive material, has been determined to be ‘tech-ready’ as well as addressing the needs of existing markets. The project will now join over 3,600 others on the European Commission’s Innovation Radar platform.
The project took advantage of Additive Manufacturing alongside the development of a specially-tailored Ti-based nano-additive material to achieve dramatic improvements in structural parts for aerospace, astrospace, mobility and equipment sectors.
“The project aims to deliver expected savings of between 40% and 50% for material in critical applications, in addition to inherent AM benefits such as a decrease in throughput times, tool-less production and high buy-to-fly ratios,” explained Miguel Zavala, TWI Additive Manufacturing expert.
“The project developed nano-modified Ti6Al4V alloy with enhanced structural performance compared to the standard alloy. The nano-modified material has been tested in Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) and Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-EB) processes, with validated supply chain workflow and a health, safety and environmental management system for the manufacture of ‘virtual demonstrators’ from industrial sectors.”
Zavala added, “The whole life cycle of the NANOTUN3D material has been designed with AM processability in mind. The aims of the project are only possible with efficient implementation of AM technologies.”
