Fraunhofer IMWS Brightlands materials partnership
Reliable thermoplastic composite parts using 3D printing.
A partnership between the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems (IMWS) and Brightland Materials Center aims to optimise fibre-reinforced thermoplastics for industrial 3D printing.
The two organisations are to work side by side to offer users of 3D printing technologies materials that can enable more stable and reliable components. Their focus will be on polymeric thermoplastics since they can enable lightweighting, flexible design, and welcome integrated sensors.
Fraunhofer IMWS and Brightlands will first focus on garnering a more comprehensive understanding of how the 3D printing manufacturing process works, in particular how the reinforcing fibres are embedded in the matrix and the impact that has on the printed composite part. The next step will see them begin to develop materials capable of producing resilient and tailor-made components, such as spare parts for the automotive, aerospace and construction sectors.
The partners want to build on the already significant progress made in the additive manufacturing space, and with their respective proficiencies in materials science and development, believe they can help manufactures make better parts more quickly.
“The success story of 3D printing so far shows the great potential of this technology. However, many parameters can still be significantly improved, such as the speed of production and the mechanical stability of components,” commented Dr. Ralf Schlimper, Head of the Assessment of Composite Systems group at Fraunhofer IMWS. “The competences of Brightlands Materials Center with respect to polymeric material properties and processing, especially with regard to different methods of 3D printing, are an excellent addition to our profile. I am sure that together we can achieve great progress on these issues.”
Brightlands Materials Center is a research institute made up of 30 people and based in Geleen, Netherlands. It specialises in the R&D of polymeric materials, but wants to target new applications and do so in a more environmentally-friendly way. It has three main programs, of which sustainable buildings and lightweight automotive components are two, and additive manufacturing is the third. Through the AM project it wants to help users of the technologies to fully exploit the design freedom by helping to expand the industry-wide materials portfolio. Its alliance with Fraunhofer IMWS is an extension of these ambitions.
“We are excited to start this partnership with Fraunhofer IMWS, which has an excellent track record in the field of thermoplastic composites, including non-destructive diagnostics of product quality,” added Marnix van Gurp, Managing Director of Brightlands Materials Center. “This collaboration gives us access to great skills and facilities to support our own ambitions in the field of continuous fibre reinforced 3D printing.”