Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Aerosint (Reinventing 3D printing into a true multi-material process)
Berichtszeitraum: 2019-01-01 bis 2019-04-30
Multi-material AM is important for society because it could represent a revolution in manufacturing. 3D printing / AM permit the fabrication of parts with optimized geometries that are inaccessible with traditional manufacturing techniques like machining and casting. With multi-material AM, both geometry and material distribution could be optimized for the unique function of the part. Such optimization leads to parts which are lighter, stronger, make more efficient use of raw materials, and which have numerous impactful applications in medicine, energy generation and storage, and aerospace. Significant reduction of polymer material waste is also possible, as Aerosint’s system allows the use of separate, non-fusing support materials that do not
The overall objectives of the market validation and technical feasibility study were to identify market segments in which multi-material AM would bring the greatest value, verify our assumptions about these opportunities through conversations with market players, and verify on a basic level that multi-material processing using Aerosint’s technology can be achieved. Through conversations with major market players we conclude that the market opportunity for both multi-material and powder savings applications is high. Our preliminary tests of multi-polymer part creation and multi-metal co-fusion indicate that the technical barriers are low enough to justify continuing the project and bringing a multi-powder deposition system to market.
Through market research and direct conversations with potential end users, we have validated the market opportunity for selective powder deposition as applied to AM. The research indicates that the additive manufacturing market is growing quickly with a current estimated growth rate of 12.5% per year. Companies using AM are increasingly interested in metal materials and using AM methods for small series production in addition to prototyping. The clear goal is accelerated product development leading manufacturing. We have validated that material waste cost in industrial polymer AM is a large pain point for service bureaus, and it inhibits the processing of high performance polymers. Multi-material AM is currently an almost non-existent market, but conversations with industry players indicate real interest for multi-material parts, especially in sectors like aerospace, soft robotics, and medical prostheses.
Our findings justify further development of selective powder deposition technology, both for material savings and multi-material applications. In the short term these developments will be made in cooperation with research centers and other SMEs with specific need for Aerosint’s technology. In the longer term, our go-to-market strategy will likely involve co-development with a major OEM of LPBF system to leverage their machine-building expertise and existing sales and distribution channels.