Carbon Fiber Demonstrator: Hybrid Processes for Maximum Precision
Fiber reinforced components and Additive Manufacturing go hand in hand. The Chair of Carbon Composites is investigating this combination in different ways: Lightweight and high strength components with advanced functions can be produced by integrating continuous fibers into Additive Manufacturing processes. Additive Manufacturing can also be used for producing layup molds for composite components by integrating new functions. Improving mold quality further facilitates the use of Additive Manufacturing by reducing necessary post-processing.
Rethinking Materials: Sustainable and High-Performance
At the Chair of Materials Engineering of Additive Manufacturing, the relationship between processing, structure, and material properties is studied. High-performance medical implants and recycled aluminium alloys for cars are being developed, with a focus on practical use and environmental responsibility. Work is also being done on multi-material parts. For instance, copper is joined with stainless steel to create single components that offer both good heat dissipation and strong durability.
Design Without Limits: Redefining Lightweight Engineering
How can components become lighter and stronger at the same time? The answer lies in innovative design methods that fully exploit the possibilities of additive manufacturing. Examples include an optimized engine bracket and a housing for a drone’s electric motor that saves weight and integrates complex geometries. These solutions are developed at the Laboratory of Product Development and Lightweight Design.
Molten Metal Jetting: Material Jetting with Molten Metals
Molten Metal Jetting is a novel metal Additive Manufacturing approach that does not rely on powder feedstock and lasers. The raw material, typically a wire, is melted in a crucible and ejected droplet-wise through a nozzle. Researchers at the Chair of Metal Forming and Casting investigate how aluminum and copper alloys can be processed to produce mono- and multi-material parts.
Laser Power: More Speed, More Efficiency
The Professorship for Laser-based Additive Manufacturing investigates laser- and powder-based additive manufacturing processes for both polymers and metals. Research activities focus on advanced exposure and process strategies, intelligent monitoring and control, and process–property–function relationships. Practical applications have shown that beam shaping and optimized exposure strategies can significantly increase process speed, enable tailored material properties, and reduce energy and material consumption. Moreover, innovative monitoring approaches allow for accurate prediction of component characteristics, paving the way for enhanced quality assurance and greater process reliability. Overall, these developments support the transfer of laser- and powder-based additive manufacturing into industrial applications and help accelerate the transition toward sustainable, green production.
Hybrid Processes and the Digital Factory of Tomorrow
At the Institute for Machine Tools and Industrial Management, additive manufacturing is a key technology for the digital transformation of production. It enables a direct path from digital models to physical parts, allowing flexible production, rapid design changes, and new possibilities for topology optimization and functional integration. The iwb team focuses on additive manufacturing of metals. Core competencies include process development, simulation, monitoring, and machining of additively manufactured components. Research also examines how additive manufacturing integrates into production systems, investigating process interactions and their impact on upstream and downstream steps to enhance component performance and quality.
Driving Progress Together
TUM.Additive connects these competencies and creates an ecosystem that brings together research, industry, and start-ups. Partners such as the TUM-Oerlikon Advanced Manufacturing Institute, Bavaria Makes, and the TUM Venture Lab Additive Manufacturing strengthen this network.