Materials for additive manufacturing
The importance of choosing the right basic materials for a component will be demonstrated at formnext powered by TCT in a special show called “From Basic Material to Component". The use of basic materials for both conventional production and additive manufacturing processes will be demonstrated at the event taking place from the 17th – 20th November in Frankfurt.
Selecting and supplying suitable basic materials for additive manufacturing is currently a hot topic for further developing the technology as a serial production method. With exhibits and examples from toothbrushes and eyeglass lenses to aircraft parts and brake discs, this special focus will highlight innovative solutions in the materials sector.
In one section, the exhibit will demonstrate the various possible methods for manufacturing bone pins – from conventional ceramic to sintered titanium – including the impact of the materials on the resulting properties and manufacturing processes.
“When new products are manufactured, the requirements for the component must be crucial in the choice of basic material,” says Professor Wolfgang Kollenberg from WZR ceramic solutions GmbH Rheinbach and head of the technical committee for additive manufacturing at the German society for materials (DGM). Kollenberg has developed and organised the special show in cooperation with formnext.
In order for manufacturers to realise the “unlimited” potential of 3D printing technologies, more developments on the materials front need to happen, particularly in the case of basic materials and this special show will bring to light some of the work that needs to be done. Kollenberg, commented: “Unfortunately, there are currently not enough raw materials available in this area, which the public is not really aware of.”
“From Basic Material to Component” will feature at formnext powered by TCT, the international exhibition and conference on additive technologies and tool and form-making, at Frankfurt am Main alongside key influencers in the additive and tooling industries including Stratasys, SLM Solutions, Renishaw, EOS and Concept Laser.