Topologically optimized components for generative production processes (TopGenIII)

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Alexander Verl
• Subject Area: Production Automation and Assembly Technology ; Engineering Design, Machine Elements, Product Development
• Term: since 2013
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 246665445

For today's machine tools, maximum performance at good energy and resource efficiency is required. Lightweight design with the use of topology optimization enables load-oriented material distributions and thus an optimized ratio of the stiffness achieved with respect to the material used. Additive Manufacturing processes are mainly used for the production of topology-optimized component structures. However, they are very costly and time-consuming, which often prevents their economical use, especially for high-volume machine components.The proposed project aims to investigate the production of topology-optimized components using the layer laminate manufacturing (LLM) process. Having shown the suitability of the LLM process in principle during the previous funding periods, the main focus is now on the optimized structuring of the layers by means of density adaptation and the correlation between manufacturing parameters and the component properties. Special attention is being paid to the potential influence of the layer structure on component damping in order to integrate passive damping into the system in a targeted manner. Finally, the findings from both aspects will be combined for practical validation using suitable practical examples.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigator: Dr.-Ing. Armin Lechler