Additive manufacturing processes have become an integral part of the production of high stress components that are manufactured in small batch sizes such as blades or fuel nozzles for gas turbines. Besides aerospace, automotive manufacturing is predestined for the use of additive manufacturing methods because of the large variety of products. In the context of the BMBF-sponsored project »CustoMat 3D«, we develop methods in this area in cooperation with our partners. The project aim is to use simulation-aided development and qualification to create custom-made aluminum alloy materials for use in laser additive manufacturing for the automobile industry.
New options and degree of freedom in design
The basic principle of additive manufacturing is the layer-by-layer manufacturing process, which eliminates many design limitations due to traditional production methods, like pre-determined tool paths or draft angles. This allows to make full use of the potential of end-use specific lightweight construction as structural components need no longer be of a generic design covering all possible load cases.