- Digital networking and automation of additive production in focus
- 3D metal printing in “Industry 4.0”
Lichtenfels (Germany), September 23th, 2015: Great events cast a long shadow. For the formnext powered by TCT from 11/17 – 11/20/2015in Frankfurt, Concept Laser is announcing a special trade fair presentation (Hall 3.1 Booth E40).
For one thing, the entire process chain of additive production is to be displayed with all its various facets. For another, the focus is directed towards a comprehensive machine concept under the motto of “AM Factory of Tomorrow“. This is about intelligent networking of machines, a higher level of automation and incorporating system technology into the production environment. Ultimately, the goal is to open up industrial series production solutions faster and more cost-effectively.
The powder bed-based laser melting of metals has established itself as the process of choice in innovative sectors. The digital process chain offers many advantages for developers and designers when it comes to manufacturing 3D components quickly and cost-effectively; with their increased performance profiles, they are superior to conventionally machined or cast parts.
Frank Herzog, CEO & President and founder of Concept Laser: “It is high time that the industrial dimension of additive manufacturing was revealed. Great steps forward have been taken with build rates, process configuration and quality assurance. Now, users are focusing on digital networking and automation. And we’re planning to address these points specifically at the formnext powered by TCT.”
AM Factory of Tomorrow
This motto not only refers to the decentralized approach with regional printing centers as service providers round the globe, but also specific measures for increasing productivity in series production. In this case, it is all about exploiting the digital potential for industrial process and system design in accordance with the “Industry 4.0” approach.
Concept Laser is formulating three significant aspects for this purpose: Digital networking of systems, integration into the production environment and automation of processes – that is what tomorrow’s series production should look like. In this regard, a completely new machine concept is being shown, one that picks up and runs with these aspects. Amongst other things, it includes flexible machine loading as well as spatial separation of the setup and dismantling procedures.
The object is to coordinate the process components specifically and increase the flexibility of the process design. Frank Herzog: “Build rates have increased enormously with multilaser technology. The build envelope sizes have increased remarkably. Now, we intend to use an integrated system concept to show what possibilities exist for “Industry 4.0″ approaches to change additive manufacturing as the production strategy for the future. There is a whole host of potential for boosting flexibility and the created value.”
Presentation of the entire process chain
In addition to the new system concept, Concept Laser will also be showing the entire process chain of 3D metal printing. To this end, visitors will find information islands dealing with the main production steps in additive manufacturing such as design (keywords: bionics, lightweight construction, topology optimization, function integration), production and quality assurance, together with partners. Also, the three-dimensional QMmeltpool 3D will be on show; this monitors and documents the component in real time. Furthermore, an M2 cusing multilaser and Mlab cusing with new peripherals will reflect the current system technology of Concept Laser.
Info block 15 years of Concept Laser
Concept Laser GmbH presented the world’s first industrial laser melting system in 2001, one year after the company was founded by Frank Herzog as a start-up. Today, the pioneer with its LaserCUSING process holds 50 patents and there are 80 patents pending. 3D components are made from metal with superior features in a digital process chain; they would be impossible to manufacture using classic machining methods. With more than 400 installed systems, Concept Laser is one of the leading drivers of powder bed-based laser melting with metals.
The process is also referred to as “green technology” because of its efficient use of resources. For example, the aerospace and automotive industries, medical technology and other sectors are now strategically relying on 3D metal printing as a production strategy for the future, and an expression of “Industry 4.0”.
Concept Laser GmbH
An der Zeil 8
D-96215 Lichtenfels
Germany
Phone:+49 (0) 9571 / 1679 – 0
Internet: www.concept-laser.de
Press Officer:
Daniel Hund
Phone: +49 (0) 9571 / 1679-251
E-mail: d.hund@concept-laser.de
About LaserCUSING®
Keyword: LaserCUSING® 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.
Procedures
With LaserCUSING®, finely pulverized metal is fused using a high-energy fiber laser. After cooling, the material solidifies. Component contour is achieved by directing the laser beam with a mirror deflection unit (scanner). Construction takes place layer by layer (with each layer measuring 15-150 microns) by lowering the bottom surface of the construction space, 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.
Concept Laser Overview
Concept Laser GmbH is an independent company based in Lichtenfels, Germany. Since its founding in 2000, it has been a leading innovator in the field of laser melting with the patented LaserCUSING® technology across many industries.
The term LaserCUSING®, a combination of the C from CONCEPT Laser and the word FUSING (to fully melt) describes the technology: the fusing process generates components layer by layer using 3D CAD data.
The method allows the production of complex component geometries without tools to create parts that are difficult or even impossible to achieve through conventional manufacturing.
With the LaserCUSING® process, conformal cooling can be used to create tool inserts as well as direct components for the jewelry, medical, dental, automotive and aerospace industries. This applies to prototypes and series parts.
The company offers both standard systems and custom concepts for metal laser melting. With Concept Laser, full-service as an option means that customers can either purchase their own metal laser melting systems or rely directly on service and development services.
Laser machining systems from Concept Laser process powder materials made from stainless steel, hot work tool steels, cobalt-chromium alloy, nickel-base alloy as well as reactive powder materials such as aluminum and titanium alloys. Precious metals such as gold or silver alloys for jewelry making are also an option.
LaserCUSING® offers new perspectives in terms of cost and speed for efficient product development in industries such as:
- Jewelry
- Medical and dental technology
- Aeronautics and space industry
- Tool and mold construction
- Automotive and racing
- Mechanical engineering
The systems reduce development time and costs substantially while offering much greater flexibility in product development.
The high quality standards, level of experience and successful track record of Concept Laser guarantee reliable and cost-effective solutions with proven performance in daily production, with a particular focus on unit cost reductions.
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.
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