Subtractive Manufacturing Unit (SMU)

• Subject Area: Construction Engineering and Architecture
• Term: Funded in 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 524727162

The seamless use of digital technologies from design to production is the key to a future resource-efficient construction industry. This is especially important for new technologies such as additive manufacturing, because with so-called 3D printing, material is only applied where it is functionally required, without the need for formworks. TRR Additive Manufacturing in Construction (AMC) of the two Technical Universities of Braunschweig and Munich is currently researching the fundamentals of Additive Manufacturing across materials and technologies for future automated use in the construction industry. In addition to free shaping, the time savings and significantly lower material input in particular offer enormous advantages. Particularly in 3D printing with concrete, subtractive (post) machining is becoming increasingly important. This concerns both the post-processing of the characteristic wavy surfaces, but also the subsequent high-precision production of contact surfaces for static-constructive dry joints, as well as the integration of recesses for finishing elements and technical installations. Instead of printing complex components with openings, it can be more effective to cut them out subtractively. The "Subtractive Manufacturing Unit (SMU)", in conjunction with research in the field of additive manufacturing, offers new possibilities for producing complex, precise contours, openings and connections even in thick-walled components made of monolithic and hybrid materials such as concrete, clay, but also steel and fiber-reinforced concrete. Furthermore, the SMU also opens up new approaches in the field of building in existing structures. Currently, the Institute for Structural Design is researching the further use of existing precast concrete buildings. The aim of the project "Precast 2.0" is to prepare deconstructed prefabricated parts for reuse through precise subtractive processing. In cooperation with the DDU of the TU Darmstadt and other industrial partners, large-scale components are redefined geometrically and in terms of joining technology by CNC-controlled subtractive machining and can be reused as column, beam and slab components. In addition, the use of this innovative manufacturing strategy opens up new possibilities for the production of customised coastal and flood protection. Together with the "Leichtweiß-Institut für Wasserbau (LWI)", a Junior Research Group (JRG) "Future Urban Coastlines" was installed in 2021 to research new form-optimized coastal protection structures based on new digitally controlled manufacturing technologies. SMU will play a central role in the JRG's research. In summary, the Subtractive Manufacturing Unit would be an important component for the ongoing and future interdisciplinary research in the field of digital building fabrication at the TU Braunschweig and an ideal addition to the existing research infrastructure.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Subtractive Manufacturing Unit (SMU)
• Instrumentation Group: 2390 Sonstige Baumaschinen und -hilfsgeräte
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität Braunschweig
• Leader: Professor Dr.-Ing. Harald Kloft