- With his nomination for the Federal President’s Award for Innovation and Technology, Frank Herzog from Concept Laser is now “among the best”
Berlin / Lichtenfels, September 16, 2015 — Together with his two project partners, Frank Herzog, founder and CEO of the specialist for 3D metal printing, has been nominated as a candidate for the German Future Prize 2015. His inclusion in the “circle of the best” is another milestone in the anniversary year of Concept Laser GmbH.
The German Future Prize is the Federal President’s Award for Innovation and Technology. It is awarded to developers from industry and science who have rendered outstanding services with projects and initiatives to Germany as an innovation location.
With his nomination, Frank Herzog is now “among the best”. Frank Herzog: “After the awards in 2014 (e.g. Bavaria’s Best 50) and the Final of the German Industry’s Innovation Award, this nominationis a great honor to me. Not least, it is also appreciation of the enormous potential of the LaserCUSING process developed by me.”
The project with the title “3D Printing in Civil Aircraft Manufacturing – a Production Revolution is Taking Off” convinced the jury of the German Future Prize 2015 with regard to its degree of innovation and economic implementation. And the project team, consisting of Peter Sander, Head of Emerging Technologies & Concepts at Airbus, Hamburg, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Claus Emmelmann, CEO of Laser Zentrum Nord GmbH, Hamburg and Frank Herzog, founder and CEO of Concept Laser GmbH, Lichtenfels was therefore nominated for the German Future Prize 2015.
The project is mainly about the first additively manufactured titanium component, referred to as a “bracket”, on board the Airbus A350 XWB. It is a “bionic” holding and connecting element, which is regarded as an important contribution to the lightweight construction of aircraft. This cross-industry development is revolutionizing the way structural aircraft components are made and “lightweight construction” is implemented in civil aircraft. This component was previously a milled part made of aluminum (Al) and is now a printed part made of titanium (Ti) with a weight reduction of approx. 30%.
Success by means of pioneering spirit
Frank Herzog is regarded as a pioneer in the field of powder bed-based laser melting. The existing plastic sintering technology led to development of the LaserCUSING method in 1998. During his studies Frank Herzog thought that what worked with plastics should also work with metals. Part stress and the failure of metal powder to fuse completely were initially the greatest challenges in the process development. However, these problems were overcome by the hard work put into the development of stochastic exposure and the application of a solid-state laser.
This pioneering work resulted in the founding of the company Concept Laser in the year 2000, which presented its M3 linear prototype machine to the public at the Euromold in Frankfurt in 2001 and, in this way, celebrated its world premiere in the field of industrial 3D metal printing. Concept Laser, which is situated in Lichtenfels in Upper Franconia, were able to supply the first systems worldwide only a year later.
Once an exotic outsider, this additive manufacturing strategy has taken over a wide variety of industrial fields and applications over the years.Over 400 systems installed worldwide speak for themselves. And 15 years of Concept Laser also means 15 years of successful process development with numerous innovations and patents. For example, the company now has its own research and development department with over 50 employees. Furthermore, Concept Laser GmbH is involved in numerous research and development partnerships with universities, technological and scientific institutes and industrial companies. And the company is also the owner of more than 50 granted patents. Concept Laser GmbH has currently approximately 100 pending patent applications and a majority of them will be granted in the near future. The number of inventions applied for patents by the company has been steadily growing.
Concept Laser’s 15th anniversary in 2015 is a brilliant performance – and it has the figures to prove it. The growth of + 75% in 2014 is being consolidated by Concept Laser at a high standard. For example, a total of 110 laser melting systems were delivered in the year 2014. This figure is to rise to 150 systems in 2015. This means growth in sales of + 35% is expected compared to the previous already very successful year.
The LaserCUSING process:
The term LaserCUSING, composed of the C from CONCEPT Laser and the English word FUSING (to fully melt), describes the technology. The fusing process uses 3D CAD data to generate components layer by layer. This process allows the production of complex component geometries without tools in order to implement geometries as components that are difficult or even impossible to achieve with conventional manufacturing methods.
The LaserCUSING process is used to create mechanically and thermally stable metallic components with high precision. Depending on the application, it can be used with stainless and tool steels, aluminum and titanium alloys, nickel-based superalloys, cobalt-chromium alloys or precious metals such as gold or silver alloys.
With LaserCUSING, finely pulverized metal is fused using a high-energy fiber laser. The material is solidified after cooling. The component contour is created by directing the laser beam by means of a mirror deflection unit (scanner). The component is constructed layer by layer (with each layer measuring 15-150 μm) by lowering the bottom surface of the build space and then applying and fusing more powder.
Concept Laser systems stand out due to their stochastic control of the slice segments (also referred to as “islands”), which are processed successively. The patented process significantly reduces tension during the manufacture of very large components.
General aspects of an additive manufacturing strategy
Numerous options for lightweight construction and an increase in the performance of components are opened up by an additive manufacturing strategy. Key words include: functional integration, lightweight construction potential, bionics and topology, conservation of resources, waste reduction, geometrical freedom, single shot production, reduction of assembly work, timely production, also “on-demand” and improvement of the cost structure, e.g. by unmanned manufacturing 24 hours a day.
The laser melting process has been made first choice in numerous sectors in relation to conventional machining strategies by the current challenges posed by manufacturing. According to manufacturing experts, automation, quality, a wide range of materials, integration in the production environment and potential build speeds are essential characteristics of additive manufacturing in the digital era. Additive manufacturing in a digital process chain is consistently based, not least, on the “Industry 4.0” strategy.
Significance of laser melting to aircraft construction
Laser melting with metals is gaining in significance in aircraft construction as part of an additive manufacturing strategy. Here too, the typical reasons for the selected process are quicker throughput times, more cost-effective components and previously unknown freedom of design. Two new key words, “lightweight” and “bionics” point to an emerging trend: The design approaches of developers in aircraft construction are changed by an additive process.
In terms of aircraft design, future components will be able to absorb specific lines of force and yet still be able to fulfill the demands of a lightweight construction approach. In general, laser melting technology is capable of manufacturing safety-related components that are even better, lighter and more durable than conventional components manufactured today. Moreover, the material properties are slightly different. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Claus Emmelmann, CEO, Laser Zentrum Nord GmbH, Hamburg: “Materials produced using laser additive manufacturing have greater rigidity while, at the same time, less ductility; however this can be enhanced with the right heat treatment.” Furthermore, the process is distinguished by sustainability and resource conservation with simultaneous improvements to the cost structure.
Geometrical freedom and lightweight construction potentials as driving factors
The arguments for the laser melting of metals in aircraft construction are geometric freedom and weight reduction. The “lightweight construction” approach is intended to help airlines operate their aircraft more economically. The achievable weight reduction results in a tendency towards lower fuel consumption or the potential to increase load capacities of aircraft. A new aircraft design requires thousands of flight test installation (FTI) brackets, produced in very small quantities.
Additive “layer manufacturing” allows designers to come up with new structures. The additively manufactured components are in fact more than 30% lighter than conventional cast or milled parts. In addition, the CAD data are the direct basis for an additive build job. The omission of tools reduces the costs and shortens the time until the component is available for use by up to 75%. Since tools are not required in the process, it is now possible at an early stage to produce functional samples of components that are similar to series produced components. This is done without upfront costs for tools. This means that sources of error can be identified in the early stages of the design process in order to optimize the processes within the project. Peter Sander, Head of Emerging Technologies & Concepts, Airbus, Hamburg: “Previously we budgeted around six months to develop a component – now, it’s down to one month.”
Bionics in the component or product design
Laser melting with metals allows extremely fine, even bone-like, i.e. porous structures to be produced. “Future aircraft components will therefore have a “bionic” look“ is what Peter Sander expects. It is not without reason that over millions of years nature has produced optimized functional and lightweight construction principles which minimize the amount of resources required in a clever way. Airbus is currently analyzing solutions found in nature in a structured manner with regard to their applicability. By relying on “intelligent exposure strategies” of the laser, it can apply layers to a component in a strategic manner in order to produce custom properties in terms of structure, rigidity and surface quality. Peter Sander: “Initial prototypes indicate great potential of a bionically motivated approach. The process is expected to launch something of a paradigm shift in design and production.”
Quality as a significant parameter
For aircraft manufacturers, monitoring during the component’s build process is one of the most important aspects of the industrial application. Peter Sander: “In practice, “inline process monitoring” with the QMmeltpool QM module from Concept Laser means the system uses a camera and photo diode to monitor the process within a very small area of 1×1 mm². The process is then documented.” In 2016 this module will be extended by QMmeltpool 3D. The former, time-related 2D monitoring of the build process becomes a position-related 3D landscape. Instead of exclusively time-related data, the system now additionally delivers position-related signals for definitive allocation, comparable to a computer tomography (CT). These signals make it possible to generate 3D datasets of the part and its structure. A highly accurate 3D landscape of the component is thus created. This allows QMmeltpool 3D to provide local indication of defects in the component. As a result, subsequent inspections and tests can be reduced to a minimum. Furthermore, the data are available directly after the build process, which also saves time. Other QM modules for active quality assurance are QMcoating, QMatmosphere, QMpowder and QMlaser. They measure or monitor, for example, the laser output and also the optimum layer structure of the metal powder and document the entire manufacturing process seamlessly.
An additional feature in terms of quality assurance is the capability to work in a closed system to ensure the process remains free of dust and contamination. All disruptive influences that could have a negative influence on the process are intended to be eliminated this way. Frank Herzog: “These days it’s accurate to call this a regulated manufacturing process that provides repetition accuracy and process reliability.” Prof. Dr.-Ing. Emmelmann emphasizes by saying: “The QA software now enables us to monitor and document key data, such as laser parameters, melt pool parameters, as well as the composition of the inert gas atmosphere. Disruptions due to contamination can be eliminated.”
Concept Laser can call itself a pioneer in this field too, since the company has been working on different quality improvement/monitoring modules since 2004.
“Green technology” conserves resources
Milling of aircraft parts results in up to 95% recyclable waste. With laser melting, the user receives components with “near-final contours,” and the process produces only about 5 % waste. “In aircraft manufacturing, we work with the “buy to fly ratio”, and 90 % is a fantastic figure. This is, of course, also reflected by the energy balance”, according to Prof. Dr.-Ing. Claus Emmelmann. This makes the process especially attractive when using valuable and expensive aircraft materials, such as titanium. A tool-less manufacturing strategy saves time and improves the cost structure. Targeted energy consumption and conservation of resources are features of the laser melting process. Frank Herzog: “LaserCUSING is a green technology and improves the often discussed environmental footprint of production.”
Spare parts supply 2.0: Timely, decentralized and “on demand”
Spare parts constitute a new playing field for “additive aeronauts”. In future it will be possible to manufacture them “on demand” at decentralized locations without the need for tools. In the event of a component failure, the spare part can be produced directly on site. Decentralized production networks can be created and global and regional strategies are possible. This minimizes transport distances and, above all, delivery times. As a consequence, maintenance-related downtimes and inspection times for aircraft are reduced. In future it will be possible to significantly reduce the large spare parts depots with parts rarely used that are currently essential given the long life cycles of today’s aircraft. A reduced capital commitment increases flexibility and especially the time needed to obtain safety-related components. This is especially attractive given the cost pressure in the aviation industry.
Outlook
Laser melting as a 3D printing technology results in “more intelligent components” which exceed the performance characteristics of conventionally manufactured components in almost every dimension. In particular, in the aerospace industry, manufacturing experts are already speaking of a change in paradigms. Although, due to the batch size structures, the aerospace industry is currently pioneering additive manufacturing, an initial effect on almost all industrial sectors is expected, due to the increase in build rates and build envelope sizes.
The key areas in this respect are the automotive industry, dental and medical technology and the tool and machine tool industry. Not least, new business models are created by decentralized production networks as represented, for example, by the Laser Zentrum Nord GmbH. This will also make it possible to return the value created by production from low-wage countries to traditional development and industrial locations in Europe or the USA in order to increase the innovative power and speed there.
“Deutscher Zukunftspreis 2015” Background
With this award, the President of the Federal Republic of Germany honors researchers and developers, who implement their innovations successfully in marketable products and, in this way, generate new jobs. The award is endowed with € 250,000. The German Future Prize will be awarded in Berlin on December 2nd, 2015.
In a strict, multi-stage procedure, the nominations submitted by the institutions invited to make recommendations are assessed by ten experts from science and industry and three or four projects are finally nominated for the final round and, in this way, become the focus of public attention. These teams belong to the “circle of the best” for the Federal President’s Award for Innovation and Technology.
On December 2nd, 2015 the prize will be awarded. In a festive ceremony, the German President Joachim Gauck will honor the team from the circle of the best who – according to the jury – was able to beat the other projects.
The art of LaserCUSING® by Concept Laser
Ideas for laser melting with metals in the following areas of application: automotive and motorsport, aerospace, medical and dental technology, die and mold making as well as the wider engineering business.
About Concept Laser
Concept Laser is the pioneer in the field of generative metal laser fusing technology since its’ founding in 2000. The LaserCUSING® process allows the additive manufacturing of direct components, tool inserts, prototypes and low-volume product run parts for the jewelry, medical, dental, automotive, and aerospace industries. LaserCUSING systems from Concept Laser process powder materials made from stainless steel, hot work tool steels, cobalt-chromium alloy, nickel-base alloy and reactive powder materials such as aluminum and titanium, as well as precious metals such as gold and silver alloys.
For more information, visit the Concept Laser website at www.conceptlaserinc.com, Germany website at www.concept-laser.de.
Press contacts:
Concept Laser Inc. (U.S.)
Elizabeth Goode
Phone: (480) 848-5361
Email: E.Goode@conceptlaserinc.com
Concept Laser GmbH (Europe and Asia)
Daniel Hund
Phone: +49 (0) 9571 / 1679-251
Email: d.hund@concept-laser.de
