Additive Manufacturing

LBM is currently the most commonly used method for the additive processing of metal powders.

The generative process of Laser Beam Melting can be used to manufacture components from metallic powders into almost any shape, even very complex ones, directly from 3D CAD data.

Selective Electron Beam Melting (SEBM) is a powder bed-based beam-melting process for additive manufacturing of metallic components with a complex shape. The powder is selectively melted layer by layer with an electron beam.

Metal Binder Jetting is a layer-by-layer manufacturing process in which a binder is deposited using printer heads – similar to inkjet printing – to create a green body in which the binder acts as an adhesive for the metal powder.

Three-dimensional screen printing is unique in that it is the only additive process that is suitable for mass production. The 3D screen printing process involves printing layers of powder paste through a screen to produce a sinterable green body. Optional screen changes can be used to obtain the desired variety of shapes.

The Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) process is already established as a process for the generative production of plastic components. Now the process has been extended at Fraunhofer IFAM for a considerably larger range of applications by opening up the material range for metallic components. The process is characterized by a high material variety and low investment costs.

The MoldJet process opens up new possibilities in the design freedom of metal components and impresses with its enormous productivity. Nevertheless, it is also possible to manufacture components in quantities of one or in small to medium series.  

With the gel casting process, Fraunhofer IFAM in Dresden has established a new technology for the production of metal components. Additive manufacturing processes are used to produce a casting mold. The actual shaping is done by pouring these moulds with a metal powder suspension at room temperature.

LMM is a stereolithography process. It is based on a paste that is characterized by the fact that, in addition to powder and organic components, it contains a photoinitiator, which hardens under light, ultraviolet radiation especially.