Powder Bed Processing and Printing

Additively manufactured coating head with filigree structures made of pure copper.
© Fraunhofer IWS
Additively manufactured coating head with filigree structures made of pure copper.

The work focuses on the development of powder bed-based processes for metallic 3D print as well as printing processes for the fabrication of complex electronic structures. The range of processes includes laser-based processes such as laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB) and binder jetting (BJ), as well as electron beam melting (PBF-EB), (metal) fused filament fabrication (FFF), dispenser printing and aerosol jet printing. For the selective heat treatment of additively manufactured parts, various furnaces with controlled atmospheres are employed.

 

Our range of services includes:

  • Process development: Powder bed-based additive manufacturing and printing of electronic structures
  • Thermal post-treatment with different lamps (IR and flash)
  • Heat treatment in controlled atmosphere (e. g. pure hydrogen)
  • Paste and ink development
  • Development of system components

Research Topics

Processes

  • Powder bed processing
  • 3D printing
  • Pre and post treatment

Applications

  • Aerospace technology
  • Medical engineering
 

Equipment

  • Heat treatment
  • Paste and ink production
  • Analytics

Highlights

 

News / 31.3.2022

ESA-ASPIRER

Aerospike rocket engine with 6000 Newton thrust from the powder bed 3D printer

Projects

ASPIRER

AeroSPIke Rocket Engine Realisation, Timeframe: 04/2020–03/2023 (Europäische Raumfahrtagentur ESA)

BioGrip

Intelligent gripping tool with self-adaptive properties, Timeframe: 07/2021–06/2022 (BMBF: FKZ 02P20E110)

KryoHeater

Printed heater for space structures

SMILE

Surface coating and microstructuring for compound functionalised biomaterials in dentistry, Timeframe: 07/2022–06/2025 (M-ERA.NET Call 2021, FKZ: 100 638 788)

News and Media

 

Press Release / 27.10.2023

Fraunhofer IWS Installs Europe’s Unique Industrial 3D Printer

“SpreeTec next”: Powder Bed-Based Additive Laser Manufacturing System

 

Press Release / 21.6.2023

Added Industrial Value through Light

Combined Conference Laser Symposium and ISAM Unites Science and Industry in Dresden at the End of November

 

Press release / 28.6.2021

When the hip joint comes out of the printer

German-Polish High-Performance Center brings additive manufacturing to medical technology 

 

Press release / 25.6.2020

Hot patterns in cold space

Fraunhofer IWS prints heaters for space flight