Additive manufacturing: Using multi-material for muli-functionality
The further development of the additive manufacturing processes allows for new material combinations and and additional functions for components, such as the integration of electrical and hydraulic lines in vehicle components. As part of the EU research project MULTI-FUN (H2020 GA No. 862617), the EDAG Group has developed two demonstrators that show the potential of multi-material concepts in additive manufacturing.
One is a partially transparent A-pillar that improves the driver's all-round view, but also houses a conventional CAN bus cable. The other is a motorcycle handlebar that allows the integration of electrical wiring and hydraulic lines into the structure of the handlebar. This eliminates the visible cables and hoses around the handlebars, which addresses the need for better design and more individualization in motorcycles.
Together with research partners LORTEK and LKR, EDAG carried out extensive tests to develop design guidelines for DED manufacturing using wire and arc (DED-Arc, also known as WAAM: Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing). This included finding ways to meet certain requirements for the additive manufacturing of the A-pillar. In the case of the motorcycle handlebars, it was even possible to apply layers for the electrical cables using the APPD (Atmospheric Plasma Powder Deposition) process.
With the development of the two demonstrators, the EDAG experts were able to gain important insights, both in the design of components and in their production. The white paper "Multi-functionality with multi-material components", which you can download here, reveals more details.