The Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Engineering (INEGI) has installed what it claims is Portugal’s first robot for ‘high performance and large dimension’ 3D metal printing. The project was co-financed through ERDF. The robot uses a technology called Directed Energy Deposition (DED) which has applications in sectors such as aerospace, health, electronics, transportation, and defence and security. Real-time data on the temperature and
3D printing robot goes live in Portugal
- 03 April 2020
The Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Engineering (INEGI) has installed what it claims is Portugal’s first robot for ‘high performance and large dimension’ 3D metal printing. The project was co-financed through ERDF.
The robot uses a technology called Directed Energy Deposition (DED) which has applications in sectors such as aerospace, health, electronics, transportation, and defence and security. Real-time data on the temperature and metal dust produced during printing will be collected in a laboratory to help optimise the industrial production process.
A specialist in 3D printing at INEGI says that the technology could reduce costs by up to 30 %, while development and production times could be reduced by up to 50 %. INEGI is also looking into methods to improve the surface finish of 3D printing, which is one of the main disadvantages of DED technology.
The technology is being developed as part of the the Add.Additive project which hopes to develop new metallic, ceramic and cement-like materials, as well as polymers, for industry. It will also research new methodologies and digital systems.
The Add.Additive project is expected to run until the end of 2020 and has received EUR 5.7 million of co-financing from ERDF.
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Source article on : https://tek.sapo.pt/ on 19/03/2020
Project and/or programme: https://add-additive.ipleiria.pt/en/
Photo: © iStock / Nordroden