High Tech Meterials for Wire-based Additive Manufacturing
As a result of the ongoing industrialization of additive manufacturing methods, users’ demands with respect to the materials’ properties and the materials used are also increasing. LKR Ranshofen has recognized these needs and is developing new, modified aluminium and magnesium materials that, in the form of powders or wires, serve as the starting point for rapid prototyping. The challenge is to create the alloys in such a way that they meet the demanding requirements of the processes and match the expected properties of the components produced. Following the principles of sustainability and cost-reduction, LKR also places a great deal of emphasis on alloys that do not need any expensive alloying elements so that a greater variety of affordable materials is available for industrial applications in future. “By taking the step in materials development of creating light metals for additive manufacturing, LKR is developing a research topic with great potential and far-reaching consequences for production in the future,” explains Martin Schnall, project manager of “Materials Development for Additive Manufacturing Processes” at LKR.
