Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM
With the MoldJet® process of the Israeli company Tritone Technologies Ltd., Fraunhofer IFAM in Dresden is expanding its expertise in the field of sinter-based additive manufacturing processes. The MoldJet® process opens up new possibilities in the design freedom of metal components and impresses with its enormous productivity. Nevertheless, it is also possible to manufacture components in quantities of one or in small to medium series.
Maximum productivity through the MoldJet® process
Current activities and range of services
- Development of new paste systems (use of all sinterable metal powders such as stainless steel, tool steel, high temperature alloys, nickel-based alloys, titanium, copper-based materials possible)
- Component / geometry development and testing
- Customer-specific profitability analysis
- Establishment of the entire process chain from material development to printing processing and sintering to dense metal components (> 99 %)
- Process optimization / design according to customer requirements
Process description
MoldJet® system Tritone DOMINANT at Fraunhofer ICAM®
System concept with six building platforms (trays)
The MoldJet® process forms a synergy of two manufacturing processes for the flexible production of customer-specific parts. These work alternately with layered component production. First, the mold is produced in one layer as a negative of the component geometry from a wax-like polymer with so-called inkjet print heads. This printed layer of mold material is then filled with metal powder paste via a slotted nozzle and a squeegee.
Due to the layer-by-layer design, the production of complex components with undercuts or even internal channels is possible without the use of support structures.
By arranging several components next to each other, a whole batch of parts can be printed. In addition, several batches can be placed on top of each other, thus fully utilizing the installation space of 400 mm x 240 mm x 120 mm. At the same time, the MoldJet process offers the option of filling the installation space with the production of large-volume parts.
At a glance
- Very high construction rate of 1000 - 1600 cm³/h
- Automated documentation of each printed layer
- Integrated layer correction in the system
- Simultaneous production of various component geometries
- 6 building platforms simultaneously & flexibly usable
- Simple scalability of the number of components
- Use of low-cost metal powders
- Large-volume components can be manufactured
- Free from support structures
- Operator-free demoulding of the components
For information on the MoldJet® process or discussions on joint project topics, please contact us. We are looking forward to a joint cooperation!