The additive manufacturing technology with powder bed based processes is on the threshold of implementation into (digital) production.

The cross-border research project, represented by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Koch from OTH Amberg-Weiden, Dipl.-Ing. Gerhard Wolf from the Fraunhofer UMSICHT institute Sulzbach-Rosenberg, and doc. Miloslav Kepka, CSc. from the West Bohemian University in Pilsen (ZČU) and doc. Ing. Petr Tomčík, Ph.D. from the Technical University Ostrau (VŠB) unites specialists in different fields from Bavaria and Tschechien.

Through the cooperation of the research institutions, new findings in the areas of materials, component production and treatment as well as the aging and recycling of powders are developed. The individual tasks and contents are divided within the research network.

The ZČU deals with material and component characterisation and AM construction processes (additive manufacturing), while the VŠB is entrusted with component testing and application and simulations. OTH Amberg-Weiden assumes the tasks of component characterization, surface treatment and corrosion investigations as well as the coordination of the network.

Fraunhofer UMSICHT with know-how in the field of metal powders 

Fraunhofer UMSICHT from Sulzbach-Rosenberg contributes to the success of the research project with its high know-how in the field of metal powder. Both the production and the reuse of metal powders are in the foreground.

The following processes are used for the detailed characterization of standard alloy powders:

laser granulometry,

REM/EDX,

DTA,

XRD.

The following projects, among others, are implemented in the BTHA research network:

Determination of powder quality,

Development of strategies for the reuse of scrap material,

Design, construction and assembly of a test plant for powder treatment in a fluidized bed reactor under gas atmosphere.

project poster