The Technical University of Munich and Swiss technology group Oerlikon will collaborate for metal 3D printing research and to drive advanced manufacturing technologies.
The two institutions have established the TUM-Oerlikon Advanced Manufacturing Institute to ‘master the technical challenges on the road to industrialisation’ through a series of studies.
The TUM-Oerlikon Advanced Manufacturing Institute will receive an annual budget of €3 million for the first five years. Researchers at TUM and Oerlikon’s scientists will work together on up to 30 dissertations that focus on technical research along the additive manufacturing value chain. This includes studies on the printing process, reciprocal interactions between materials and processes, and the development of tailor-made materials.
“Together with Oerlikon, we wish to transform Munich to become recognised globally as a centre of additive manufacturing technologies,” TUM President Professor Thomas F. Hofmann stated.
“This collaboration perfectly complements our Industry on Campus strategy of bringing science and practical applications closer together and making substantive contributions to the industrialisation of additive manufacturing technologies.” Hofmann added.
“To further the collaborative synergies between the university and ourselves, we have decided to relocate our business activities together with our in-house research department from Feldkirchen to Garching,” CTO at Oerlikon Surface Solutions Division CTO Dr. Sven Hicken added.
“Both partners benefit from such a partnership: doctoral students can use our hardware, including our 3D printers and our laboratories, and we are close to the research activities of a truly excellent university.” Dr. Hicken said.
“Our research efforts focus primarily on technical challenges which, once we have surmounted them, will speed up the development of 3D metal printing. For example, we are already working together on the new ultra-strong light aluminum-based alloys that are in high demand in the industry, on demanding new simulation techniques to predict the melting and solidification process for metal powders and on the development of a digital certification process using components produced for the aerospace industry with the help of advanced manufacturing.” TUM Director of the Chair Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics Dr. Nikolaus A. Adams said.
Image Source: www.tum.de
