Additive manufacturing is a promising but also very slow technology. A new method significantly increases the speed of 3D printing. The method thus makes it possible to produce products faster and cheaper, without compromising on quality. To increase the speed of 3D printing, a new method has been developed by TNO within the AMSYSTEMS Center. The AMSYSTEMS Center is a joint innovation centre of TNO and TU/e HTSC.
The 3D printing technique was developed within the 'Industrial Additive Manufacturing' programme line of the AMSYSTEMS Centre. The printing method is mainly aimed at parties that produce small runs and prototypes. Some examples of products mentioned by TNO include hearing aids, dental elements and moulds for automotive and aerospace parts. A working prototype has now been built.
Commercialise
The concept is marketed by AMSYSTEMS BV, a spin-off of the AMSYSTEMS Centre. AMSYSTEMS BV will mainly focus on the further development and commercialisation of a light engine and the force feedback concept for industrial stereolithography (SLA) 3D printers. The light engine is an imaging method based on Blu-ray laser diodes. The force feedback concept is a software solution combined with a physical force sensor. Both solutions enable 3D printing of products at higher speed and resolution.
FieldLab MultiM3D and NextGen Food Printer
AMSYSTEMS Centre focuses on the development of various concepts. For instance, the company participates in the FieldLab MultiM3D, a pilot factory where companies, universities and knowledge institutes work together in various consortium.
AMSYSTEMS is also working on a powder-based printing technology suitable for multiple materials within the NextGen Food Printer programme. Among other things, this printer should make it possible to create new food textures, print personalised food and produce new innovative food products.
PrintValley2020
In addition, the centre is involved in PrintValley2020. This involves further developing the existing PrintValley system for additive manufacturing into a hybrid additive manufacturing-based production platform. This platform supports multiple material types, which, among other things, allows components to be incorporated directly into an object during the printing process. Among other things, PrintValley2020 thereby increases production speed by a factor of 10, ensures shorter production cycles and lower production costs.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
