Sasso Marconi, Italy,
Hamburg, Germany,
01/10/2024

3D4MEC, a leader in metal additive manufacturing, has partnered with the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Additive Manufacturing Technologies IAPT, which belongs to the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, a leading applied research organization based in Germany. The Fraunhofer IAPT focuses its research and development on the industrialization of additive manufacturing. Together the partners aim to develop an advanced in-situ optical monitoring system for the 3D4BRASS printer. The collaboration also involves Thetascan GmbH. The company will provide an optical system, aiming to improve the stability and reliability of the additive manufacturing process for complex materials like brass.

The innovative in-situ monitoring system is designed to detect real-time defects during the selective laser melting process, significantly enhancing the quality and repeatability of the components produced. The department of L-PBF – In-situ Monitoring and Process Control at Fraunhofer IAPT, will contribute high-level scientific expertise the development of new technologies for metal 3D printing. The project will also explore the capabilities of an advanced version of 3D Optical Tomography (3D-OT), further expanding the monitoring capabilities of the system.

“The collaboration with Fraunhofer IAPT and Thetascan is a tremendous opportunity for 3D4MEC to strengthen our commitment to research and development, an area in which we have heavily invested over the past years. With this synergy, we aim to develop customized additive manufacturing solutions for special materials, meeting the specific needs of our clients and the market,” said Fabrizio Marino Corsini, Managing Director of 3D4MEC.

“In 3D4MEC, we have found an excellent partner to move on and advance the further development of optical tomography technology beyond the state of the art by means of extended sensor integration and fusion of multiple sensing technologies for a data-based quality control in Laser Powder Bed Fusion. The project will also profit from our previous investigations into optical tomography with ThetaScan,” said Dennis Jutkuhn, scientific assistant for In-situ Monitoring & Process Control in L-PBF of Fraunhofer IAPT.

Integrating the innovative technology will allow 3D4MEC to offer a unique solution worldwide, capable of real-time monitoring and correcting process defects during 3D printing of brass, reducing material waste and improving energy efficiency. The project will not only enhance component quality but will also have a significant impact on the sustainability of the production process, aligning with the latest demands of the industrial market.