Platform for powder bed fusion of plastics using laser beam

该项目的主题是使用激光束（PBF-LB/P）进行塑料粉末床熔融的平台系统，该系统可以实现增材制造工艺技术领域的基础研究。为了能够使平台适应不同的研究问题，它基于一个自适应的模块化概念，主要组件包括：光学模块、处理室和控制单元。自适应光学模块包括一个CO2激光器和一个三轴光束偏转单元。采用该技术的创新工艺策略将有助于减少工艺时间，从而提高PBF-LB/P工艺的经济效率。除了标准功能外，工艺室还包括一个适应性强的多级涂层系统，减少了构建体积，并集成了高速和热像仪。该系统能够处理熔点高达300°C的塑料。这些系统的特点是一个有效的鉴定和开发新的粉末材料，建立一个封闭的粉末循环，并为基础的科学研究，以增加零件性能的再现性是必不可少的。控制单元和相应的软件必须与前面描述的硬件组件紧密结合起来考虑。控制单元设计为开放操作，以实现精确的过程监控。这为在PBF-LB/P过程中鉴定新型塑料粉末，检测和预防组件缺陷，或在不需要后处理材料测试的情况下提供零件性能预测值开辟了新的前景。光束源、光束偏转单元和相应的组件可以独立于制造商进行控制和调整。因此，PBF-LB/P平台提供了沿着整个工艺链深化PBF-LB/P领域的工艺研究和材料开发的可能性，并检测和开发提高工艺理解、工艺速度、工艺稳健性和可持续性的潜力。为了能够在PBF-LB/P领域进行独立研究，从而在应用程序中概述的工艺和材料研究研究领域产生新的知识，PBF-LB/P平台的资助至关重要。

The subject of the project is a platform system for powder bed fusion of plastics using a laser beam (PBF-LB/P), which enables basic research in the field of process technology for additive manufacturing processes. To be able to adapt the platform to different research questions, it is based on an adaptive, modular concept with the main components: optics module, process chamber, and control unit.The adaptive optics module includes a CO2 laser and a three-axis optical beam deflection unit. The innovative process strategies that become feasible with this technology will contribute to increasing the economic efficiency of the PBF-LB/P process by enabling a reduction in process time.In addition to standard features, the process chamber includes an adaptable and multi-stage coating system, a reduction of the build volume, and integrated high-speed and thermographic cameras. The system is able to process plastics with a melting point of up to 300 °C. These system features are essential for an efficient qualification and development of new powder materials, the establishment of a closed powder cycle, and for fundamental scientific investigations to increase the reproducibility of part properties. The control unit and the corresponding software must be considered closely with the hardware components already described. The control unit is designed to operate openly, to enable precise process monitoring. This opens up new perspectives for qualifying novel plastic powders during PBF-LB/P, for the detection and prevention of component defects, or for providing predictive values for part properties without the need for post-process material test. The beam source, the beam deflection unit, and the corresponding components can be controlled and adapted independently of the manufacturer.Thus, the PBF-LB/P platform offers the possibility to deepen process research and material development in the field of PBF-LB/P along the entire process chain and to detect and exploit potentials for increasing process understanding, process speed, process robustness and sustainability. In order to be able to conduct independent research in the field of PBF-LB/P and thereby generate new knowledge in the research areas of process and materials research outlined in the application, the funding of the PBF-LB/P platform is of fundamental importance.