Project Details
Projekt
Path planning and system structure for the combination of laser deposition welding and milling post-processing in a robot cell for the flexible production of large-volume topology-optimized components
Applicant
Professor Dr.-Ing. Bernd Kuhlenkötter
Subject Area
Production Automation and Assembly Technology
Term
since 2025
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 512940050
The project aims to leverage the synergies between additive and subtractive manufacturing processes to enhance efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability in production. Given the increasing demand for customized products and the necessity to reduce carbon footprints, integrating automated processes is crucial. Laser deposition welding enables the layer-by-layer construction of components, minimizing material wastage. This layer-wise manufacturing not only reduces raw material consumption but also lowers energy usage throughout the production process, leading to a decrease in CO2 emissions. Employing industrial robots further enhances the flexibility of these processes, enabling greater product customization. A significant advantage of laser deposition welding is the ability to manufacture components directly from digital designs, without the need for intricately crafted molds or tools. This facilitates rapid and cost-effective production of tailored parts that meet specific customer requirements. Additionally, additive processes like laser deposition welding enable the fabrication of complex structures that are difficult or impossible to achieve using conventional manufacturing methods. Layer-wise manufacturing allows for targeted adjustments to the internal structure of components, contributing to further weight reduction and innovative lightweight construction. This lightweight construction not only improves product efficiency and performance but also helps reduce fuel consumption and emissions during use. Integrating additive and subtractive manufacturing processes within a robotic cell allows for optimizing the entire manufacturing process and reducing lead times. By utilizing industrial robots for post-processing, parts can be processed directly within the manufacturing cell, leading to further efficiency gains. The flexibility of robots also allows for seamless integration of various manufacturing steps, optimizing the entire production process. Overall, the combination of additive and subtractive manufacturing processes offers numerous advantages for the manufacturing industry. By reducing material wastage, energy consumption, and CO2 emissions, it contributes to sustainability and environmental friendliness in production. Simultaneously, it enables greater flexibility and product customization, allowing manufacturers to quickly respond to evolving customer demands. By optimizing the entire manufacturing process, companies can enhance their competitiveness while simultaneously reducing costs.
DFG Programme
Research Units
