Project description
High-quality automotive parts using additive manufacturing
Expanded polypropylene (EPP) is a versatile plastic compound that is widely used in the automotive industry. Despite being lightweight, it is remarkably durable and recyclable, and it can absorb impact energy. The EU-funded SLM-Tools project will leverage selective laser melting, an additive manufacturing technique for designing EPP-based work pieces that are impossible to produce using conventional mechanical or casting production methods. Apart from allowing the creation of more complex designs, the proposed technique should help reduce the cost of EPP products by 16 %. Furthermore, it should help drive down energy consumption by 70 % and water cooling needs by 90 %, while also increase plant output by 100 %.
Objective
Expanded Polypropylene (EPP), is commonly used in many industries but particularly in automotive for varying applications for its light weight, high-energy absorption, structural strength and recyclability properties. We have developed an innovative technique that exploits Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology to produce EPP mold tools at a significantly lower cost, with an excellent lifetime as well as offer increased shape complexity capability.
Compared to traditional techniques, our worldwide unique innovation is a highly efficient manufacturing process that has the industry disrupting effect of reducing the cost of EPP products by a massive 16% as well as advancing shape complexity possibilities, offering customers absolute design freedom. At the same time, it is environmentally beneficial, offering high energy and materials savings: reducing production energy consumption by 70%, reducing cooling water consumption by <90%, and increasing plant output by 100%.
As the first of its kind and with IP protection in progress, we expect for SLM Tools to become the industry standard and launch us into becoming Germany’s EPP tooling market leader with a significant presence across the globe, as such, it is key for us to plan this market entry strategy carefully to ensure success is maximised. This feasibility study will allow us to: refine our market knowledge; map our Phase 2 work; scope the IP landscape; finalise Phase 2 project collaborators and produce a fully elaborated business plan.
Building on our legacy as an innovative company, at Overath, we possess the know-how necessary to develop, manufacture and market such world novelties and innovations. Having already proven TRL6, at Phase 2 we shall: validate an efficient production environment; optimise the technology productivity capability; prove to the market our quality and efficiency capability and prepare for market entry.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
- social sciences sociology industrial relations automation
- social sciences economics and business economics production economics productivity
- natural sciences mathematics pure mathematics geometry
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering manufacturing engineering additive manufacturing
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.2.3. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.3. - PRIORITY 'Societal challenges
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H2020-EU.2.1. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
53797 LOHMAR
Germany
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.