Researchers from the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Center for Vision, Automation & Control, and the LKR Light Metals Competence Center Ranshofen (german only) presented the results of their research project FitAM, together with the project partners RHP, SPECS, SBI and ModuleWorks, at the world's leading trade fair for additive manufacturing, the formnext. With innovative solutions and practical application examples, the presentation of the project at the exhibition stands of project partners RHP and ModuleWorks attracted numerous trade visitors to the AIT stand from November 19-22, 2024 and became a real crowd-puller.
The focus was on the FFG (german only) and BMK funded project FitAM (First-Time-Right and Future-Proof WAM), which aims to optimize wire-based additive manufacturing (WAM) through intelligent planning and inline process control. To this end, novel technologies have been developed, including a simulation to optimize warpage behavior, a model-based multimodal control system, and image processing algorithms that provide important real-time information about the geometry and process. The combination of these innovations enables precise control of the process parameters and resource-efficient manufacturing. The aim is to minimize material and energy consumption and ensure “first-time-right” production.
One highlight was the presentation of the demonstrator, a vacuum chamber made of titanium and adapted for AM production, for photoelectron spectroscopy at the partner SPECS, which demonstrates the practical suitability of the developed methods.
Formnext is the central meeting place for experts and companies in the field of additive manufacturing. It offers a platform for presenting the latest developments and making valuable contacts. The AIT appearance not only demonstrated the capabilities of Austrian research, but also attracted keen interest and recognition from experts around the world.
The success at Formnext once again underscores AIT's role as a leader in innovation in the field of automation and process optimization.