Lecture Program AM4U at formnext 2019

• Lectures will focus on automation and networking of future AM process chains
• Panel will be at the kickoff of formnext 2019 on November 19th from 12:30 p.m. in the AM4U Area in Hall 11.1, D29
• Experts from AG AM’s Automation Working Group in the VDMA share their know-how

Frankfurt, November 7th 2019 – On the opening day of formnext 2019 on Tuesday, November 19th, the German Engineering Federation (VDMA)’s Additive Manufacturing Association (AG AM) will present a technical highlight: Six experts from companies and universities will present concepts for intelligently networked, highly automated additive process chains of the future on the AM4U panel (Hall 11.1. D29). The lecture program starts at 12:30 pm.

“In our Working Group Automation, AM pioneers from industry and research are developing roadmaps that outline the use of additive manufacturing in future Smart Factories – and specify the development requirements on the way there,” reports Rainer Gebhardt, Project Manager of the AM AG in the VDMA.
Six experts from this working group will design the AM4U lecture program.

From Surface Treatment to Digitalisation on the Shop Floor

After a thematic introductory lecture on the future of networked AM processes, Ronny Bernstein, Managing Director of Bernstein Mechanische Fertigung (BMF) GmbH, will present an approach to comprehensively quality-monitored mechanical surface treatment in automated production chains. In the sense of self-optimizing, closed-loop controlled processes, the measurement results are sent to the blasting system and other production systems. BMF has developed this solution – “Smart Surface Control®” – together with researchers from Chemnitz Technical University.

Dr. Georg Schlick from the Fraunhofer Institute for Foundry, Composite and Processing Technology IGCV in Augsburg will be illuminating the topic of networking from a completely different perspective: In order to guarantee occupational safety in AM process chains, a holistic understanding and design of processes across all processes is required. Maximilian Binder, also from the Fraunhofer IGCV presents new approaches in automated hybrid AM process chains. The automated integration of sensors into additively manufactured components opens up new degrees of freedom for their targeted functionalization.

Prof. Jörg Franke, Head of the Erlangen Chair of Manufacturing Automation and Production Systems (FAPS), will demonstrate that additive manufacturing is not only the subject of networking, but also opens up new horizons in the production of networked products. His research team is working flat out to expand AM by adding the dimension of electrical engineering and information technology in order to manufacture mechatronically functionalized components using AM. The researchers combine classical AM processes with competences in the field of mechatronically integrated assemblies (MID), aerosol jet pressure or plasma processes.

The potential of networking and automation is not limited to the design and construction phase alone, but also includes digitization on the shop floor. According to Stefan de Groot, project manager and technology manager at PROTIQ GmbH, the speed, flexibility and productivity of AM processes is optimally received by the customer, where AM production, including digital order and invoice processing and delivery logistics, is holistically networked. He also pays special attention to the automated unpacking of the often several dozen and sometimes even several hundred small parts from AM construction rooms. A typical question of the industry 4.0 is at the centre: How is it in fully automated production to ensure that each individual part is assigned to the right order and sent to the right recipient?

Visitors to formnext will find answers to this and many other questions at the
Conference AM4U:
November 19th, 2019 from 12:30 -14:30 in the AM4U Area in hall 11.1 / booth D29
Special show of the working group AM in the VDMA at the Formnext:
November 19th – 22nd , 2019 in Hall 12.0 / Stand E42

am.vdma.org

About 150 companies and research institutes collaborate under the roof of the VDMA (German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association) in the Additive Manufacturing Association. System manufacturers, suppliers of components and materials, industrial users from the metals and plastics sectors, services providers for software, manufacturing, and finishing as well as researchers all have a common goal: the industrialization of additive manufacturing technologies.