East Granby, CT--Joining Technologies is partnering with Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT; Aachen, Germany) and its Fraunhofer USA subsidiary, Fraunhofer CLT (Center for Laser Technology) to form Joining Technologies Research Center (JTRC). The new research center will carry out R&D on repair or restoration applications of laser additive manufacturing.
As partner in JTRC, Fraunhofer ILT will be providing laser additive manufacturing research and development services, as well as system design and integration and accessory sales, including nozzles and cladding heads, all from its new facility in East Granby, CT. Additionally, one experienced Fraunhofer CLT engineer will be strengthening the expertise of the JTRC team on-site.
“Our new partnership with Fraunhofer ILT and Fraunhofer CLT will provide numerous benefits to customers,” said Scott Poeppel, Joining Technologies’ manager of additive processes. “Combining the precision and reliability of Joining Technologies’ laser cladding processes with ILT’s cutting edge laser additive research and development capabilities offers customers enhanced information on using laser additive manufacturing for repair or restoration in aerospace, power generation, valve, and OEM-supplied component applications.”
The company says that tailor-made laser additive manufacturing solutions are being developed for direct photonic production from CAD data to a part made from serial materials; maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of high value components; and wear and corrosion protection.
Dr. Ingomar Kelbassa, vice and academic director of LLT, RWTH Aachen University and head of the RWTH LLT department at Fraunhofer ILT, expects the JTRC partnership will offer a range of services from feasibility studies via process development, validation and certification, to systems engineering and system integration of a final industrial implementation at a customer’s site.
“By using such process-specific advantages as nearly unrestricted geometrical freedom, material freedom and achievable thermo-mechanical properties of the parts built-up, it is possible to manufacture parts designed specifically for their function,” said Dr. Kelbassa. “Laser additive manufacturing can therefore be considered as the key enabler for the green manufacturing of new and future generation parts,” he said.
Source: Joining Technologies