The toolhead for Advanced Tape Layer Additive Manufacturing (ATLAM) was recently installed at the Chair of Carbon Composites at their site on the Ludwig-Bölkow-Campus in Taufkirchen. The technology, which is combining tape laying with additive manufacturing, was developed by CEAD B.V. and GKN Aerospace Deutschland GmbH.

In the research project 3DP-MAT between GKN, Hufschmied Zerspanungssysteme GmbH and TUM, the ATLAM toolhead will be used to manufacture low-cost composite tools for aerospace applications. By the integration of continuous carbon fiber tapes in the printing process, the final tools achieve lower coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) compared to only short fiber reinforced parts. A low CTE is crucial to comply with the tight tolerances required in the aerospace industry. In the project, Hufschmied is developing a modular clamping fixture. This will enable straightforward postprocessing of printed parts with different shapes to their final tolerance. Future research with the ATLAM technology will include structural applications.

The project 3DP-MAT is funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs and Media, Energy and Technology.