Today's KNOWLEDGE Share:Sauber Technologies 3D printing

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

3D Printing Quality Test: How Sauber Technologies AG Benefits From a Vibrophore 100

In motorsports, Formula 1 is generally regarded as the premier class: next to the quality of the driver, technology and materials also determine success on the track. To test the latter, as well as offer customers in other industries and with different applications the highest level of quality—Sauber Technologies AG uses a ZwickRoell Vibrophore 100 in the area of additive manufacturing and light weight construction. This machine provides support within the scope of material development with tests on 3D printed components—not only for #Formula1racecars. But always with one common goal: to maintain pole position.

The Sauber Group with headquarters in Hinwil, Switzerland, specializes in the development and production of race cars and high-performance vehicle components. Founded in 1970, the company was initially entirely devoted to motorsports. Since 2015, one division of the Sauber Group has been focusing on developing technologies and solutions for different industries under the Sauber Technologies brand. These include the automotive Industry, aerospace, energy and medical engineering, and in addition offers engineering and consulting services. #SauberTechnologies is also an important supplier of components for different industry sectors.

“Quality and fatigue strength monitoring are essential criteria when it comes to serious #additivemanufacturing at its highest level.

Determining the effects of hot isostatic pressing (HIP process)

The determination of material properties of specimens in terms of durability and fatigue strength along with traceable documentation of the results present the main challenges in the Sauber Technologies AG testing lab. “For material development and quality testing in 3D printing, the process parameters in the downstream HIP process play an important role for us: HIP stands for hot isostatic pressing and is used in the context of #3Dprinting as a method for post-processing printed parts. For example, 3D printed parts can be porous or have microscopic cracks, which can sometimes affect their strength and durability. The HIP process can eliminate these defects by exposing the printed part to high pressure and high temperatures. The process starts by placing the printed part in a special chamber filled with a gaseous pressurized medium such as argon or nitrogen. The chamber is then heated up to a very high temperature and increased to a very high pressure. This combination of pressure and heat evenly compresses the material of the printed part, sealing porous areas and cracks. With the HIP process, printed parts can reach a higher density and strength, which makes them appealing for use in challenging applications in the aerospace, medical and automotive industry.

Images: Copyright Sauber Technologies AG

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