Fontys Centre of Expertise Hightech Systems & Materials (CoE HTSM) has installed a metal printer. Questions from companies in the region on how 3D printing can be used will be taken up by students, lecturer-researchers and employees of the companies, with the printer playing an important role. The Trumpf TruPrint 1000 offers these companies, and of course Fontys students, the chance to discover the latest applications in 3D printing
Fontys notices in its contacts with the manufacturing industry in Southeast Brabant that there is a great need for research into practical applications of 3D metal printing. Well-known applications so far are in the medical industry (implants) and the machine industry, for which parts can be customised.
"However, there are still only a handful of metal printers in the country. And there are, certainly in this Brainport region, many more companies wondering whether 3D metal printing (also known as additive manufacturing) could have added value for them," says 3D printing expert Rein van der Mast. ,,We regularly have draftsmen, designers and constructors on the floor of those companies. Apart from the theory, we can now show them the practice.''
Compact
The Trumpf TruPrint 1000 is mostly used to print small, complex components. Fontys chose this machine because it is a compact machine that is fast when manufacturing low-volume workpieces, while being sufficiently representative of large metal printers. ,,For us it is important to have a quick result. We can now examine all kinds of variables affecting the workpiece in a short time, including their interactions. In addition, we have all kinds of facilities here to test the printed pieces," says Van der Mast.
The machine will also be used as part of the Open Learning Labs that the Centre of Expertise HTSM will soon launch. Companies can increase their expertise in robotics, additive manufacturing/3D printing and agro-mechatronics via e-learning on the internet. What is learned will be put into practice as needed in physical labs, including the one around the new metal printer.
Fontys HTSM also offers (short-term) training courses in combination with Topology Optimisation, Design for Additive Manufacturing , Post Processing and Materials.
About Fontys Centre of Expertise HTSM
Together with companies in the Southeast Netherlands region, on the initiative of the Ministry of OC&W, Fontys set up the Centre of Expertise Hightech Systems & Materials (CoE HTSM) in 2013. This has grown into a meeting place between education and practice in the fields of robotics, additive manufacturing/3D-printing and agro-mechatronics.
About Trumpf
Trumpf is an originally German, global machine tool, laser and electronics company for industrial applications. 3D metal printing is one of the company's areas of expertise.
Source: Fontys.
