Laser Powder Bed Fusion

Overview

Our range of services

Thanks to more than 20 years of experience in the additive manufacturing (AM) of metallic components with Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) – also known as Selective Laser Melting (SLM) or Laser Beam Melting – Fraunhofer ILT is one of the world’s leading research institutes in this field.

Laser Powder-Bed Fusion makes it possible to produce complex functional components in a resource-efficient and economical manner. Indeed, manufacturing costs no longer depend on the complexity of the geometry, but only on the volume of the component to be built. Thus, the process offers a number of advantages over conventional manufacturing techniques and is suitable for applications in various industries such as the turbomachinery, aerospace, automotive and medical technology sectors.

Fraunhofer ILT focuses on developing additive processes, innovative exposure concepts and machines as well as integrating these developments into industrial process chains. The institute’s extensive system equipment consists of different commercial systems and self-developed, highly flexible laboratory plants. By bundling its know-how, also from the fields of laser beam source and optics development as well as process monitoring, Fraunhofer ILT creates tailor-made applications and innovations.

Laboratory LPBF system for large metal components (machine housing not shown).
© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany.
Laboratory LPBF system for large metal components (machine housing not shown).
Turbomachinery component manufactured additively by MAN Diesel & Turbo SE.
© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany.
Turbomachinery component manufactured additively by MAN Diesel & Turbo SE.
Miniature of an octopus with moveable components manufactured by laser powder bed fusion.
© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany.
Miniature of an octopus with moveable components manufactured by laser powder bed fusion.

Among other things, the institute offers a wide range of services, including the following R&D tasks along the entire horizontal and vertical process chain:

  • Correlation of powder properties and LPBF process control
  • Development of functionally adapted component designs
  • Development of components, exposure concepts and complete systems for LPBF
  • Integration of processes and plants into industrial process chains
  • Process development for new materials
  • Development of materials
  • Characterization of the component and material properties
  • Feasibility studies up to the production of prototypes and very small series
  • Development of post-processing of additive components
  • Market studies and consulting
  • Workshops and seminars in the field of AM

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Video: A Defining Patent - 25 Years of Metallic 3D Laser Printing

A drone hovers in the sky above the Fraunhofer ILT. It films 50 employees from the “Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF)” department from above as they stand together and form the number 25. The anniversary of the basic patent for LPBF marks an occasion for a video clip: 25 years ago, only one Fraunhofer ILT researcher was actively working on the project and the patent for metallic 3D laser printing was filed in 1996. “This is an auspicious occasion for a retrospective and outlook on our technology,” Jasmin Saewe says, pleased. She has been head of the LPBF competence area at Fraunhofer ILT for several months. Today, she is in charge of around 50 employees and students.

Further information:

Brochures

Our brochures offer a quick view onto our service portfolio. Find more detailed information in the “project results“ tab.

 

“Laser Powder Bed Fusion“

 

“Selective Laser Sintering“

 

“Process Development for Laser Powder Bed Fusion“

 

“Applications and Process Chains for Laser Powder Bed Fusion“

 

"Material Development for Additive Manufacturing"

Virtual tour through our LPBF labs: advanced Additive Manufacturing for your innovations

Customers benefit not only from the many years of experience and profound know-how of the Fraunhofer ILT experts in the field of LPBF, but also from the extensive equipment.

LPBF makes it possible to manufacture complex functional components in a resource-efficient and economical way. Since it has high geometric flexibility in the production of metallic components, the process offers a number of advantages compared to conventional manufacturing techniques and is suitable for applications in various industries, such as turbo machinery, aerospace, automotive and medical technology. 

-> Get new insights in our virtual tour and explore our LPBF labs!

Markets

Laser technology can solve demanding tasks in many different industries. Whether as a tool in automotive production, as measuring equipment in the environmental sector, as a diagnostic or therapeutic instrument in medical technology or as a communication medium in space technology, the laser provides multiple uses with high productivity and high efficiency.

Read up about the innovations of the Fraunhofer ILT in a few selected industries and convince yourself!

 

Research with us!

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about general topics! Our contact persons are happy to get in touch with you.