Development of handling system concepts for additive process chains with Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF)

Procedia CIRP, vol. 104, pp. 1173–1178

Abstract

Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) is an additive manufacturing (AM) technology that enables the production of highly complex and individualized metal components. Since these components need post-processing, L-PBF is usually utilized within a manufacturing process chain. The automation of this process chain is a crucial step towards the industrialization of L-PBF. This paper presents a methodology for the conceptual design of handling systems for the automated handling of L-PBF components. It includes the selection of gripping and clamping devices, robots, and other peripheral systems. Restrictions that arise from the complexity of the components and the technologies are considered.

Authors 4

1. Rainer Horstkotte corresponding Aachen Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT

   Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT

   Affiliation as printed

   Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT, Steinbachstraße 17, 52074 Aachen, Germany

2. Marcel Prümmer Aachen Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT

   Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT

   Affiliation as printed

   Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT, Steinbachstraße 17, 52074 Aachen, Germany

3. Kristian Arntz Aachen Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT

   Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT

   Affiliation as printed

   Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT, Steinbachstraße 17, 52074 Aachen, Germany

4. Thomas Bergs Aachen Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL)

   Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT, Steinbachstraße 17, 52074 Aachen, Germany

   Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL), RWTH Aachen University, Campus-Boulevard 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany