– Our research has a clear focus on sustainability. The benefits of additive manufacturing are so great for both the environment and industry, that new knowledge in this area of ​​technology can be of great benefit to society, says Joel Andersson, Professor of Materials Science, University West.

– The industry can design products with higher performance. Manufacturing can be made more efficient, faster and more flexible. Significantly less material is also required during production, which reduces the extraction of natural resources. In addition, you can repair or rebuild components and machine parts, thus saving large resources.

A number of different techniques can be used in welding-based additive manufacturing (AM). Joel Andersson leads the research team that works with welding-based additive manufacturing for metals, a research area where University West is a leader in Research Sweden.

The university started AM research as early as 2005 in close collaboration with Volvo Aero (now GKN Aerospace). Then it was a matter of developing an AM process for aircraft engine components in titanium. Today, it is a mature technology used in the company’s production. The AM-manufactured engine components are found in aircraft such as the Airbus A350.

– Today we research AM processes for other types of components and other metals such as steel, superalloys and aluminum. They are all high-performance and somewhat “difficult to handle” metals with different properties. Solid research is required to find out how each material behaves in additive manufacturing and how the manufacturing process, control system and more should be designed.

Two strategically important research projects in welding-based AM are currently being run together with several industry partners. The SAMw project is about additive manufacturing with laser and wire for components in duplex stainless steel and titanium. Alfa Laval, GKN Aerospace, Permanova and ITW Welding participate here.

Read more about the research in SAMw

In the second project, Tapertech, the researchers work with additive manufacturing with lasers and powders, as well as with arcs and wires for high-performance steel components. The research is conducted in close collaboration with BAE Systems Hägglunds, Uddeholm, TRUMPF and ESAB.

– Both projects are about developing automated, robust and reliable manufacturing processes for high-performance components. To succeed, we bring together the research team’s broad knowledge of processes, materials, modeling, simulation and mechanical properties.

Read more about the research project Tapertech

A major asset is that the industrial partners represent different parts of the production chain – from material suppliers and equipment suppliers to end manufacturers. In the final phases of the project, the AM processes will be tested in two different demonstrators.

– The results and experiences from these projects form a valuable platform for the new major research investment we are planning right now. Our hope is that the project can start in July 2022 and that we can take welding-based additive manufacturing a few more steps closer to implementation in industry.