TOMAX | Toolless Manufacturing of Complex Structures

OVERVIEW

Toolless Manufacturing of Complex Structures

Lithography based Additive Manufacturing technologies (L-AMT) are capable of fabricating parts with excellent surface quality, good feature resolution and high precision.

ToMax is a European project (Horizon 2020, Factories of the Future) which aims at developing integrated lithography-based Additive Manufacturing systems for the fabrication of ceramic parts with high shape complexity.

Aim of the project

The focus of the project is to unite industrial know-how in the field of software development, photopolymers and ceramics, high performance light-sources, system integration, life cycle analysis, industrial exploitation and rewarding end-user cases. The consortium will provide 3D-printers with high throughput and outstanding materials and energy efficiency.

Targeted end-use applications include ceramics for aerospace engineering, medical devices and energy efficient lighting applications. The consortium is aiming to exploit disruptive applications of L-AMT by developing process chains beyond the current state of the art.

Overall, the consortium will provide innovative, resource efficient manufacturing processes. ToMax will develop energy-efficient machinery and processes, with a focus on manufacturing of alumina, silicon nitride and cermet parts with high shape complexity.

(AM Ceramics 2017): 11th – 12th September, Registration is now open!

ToMax announced as a semi-finalist for the Elsevier (3D Printing Grand Challenge)

See our recently released (ToMax videos)

By relying on L-AMT, the following objectives are targeted by ToMax:

ToMax will provide methods which are 75% more material efficient with respect to traditional manufacturing.
Are 25% more material efficient with respect to current AMT approaches by using computational modelling to optimize geometries and by providing recyclable wash-away supports.
ToMax will provide methods which are 35% more energy efficient than current AMT approaches by developing 50% faster thermal processing procedures.
Incorporate recycling for the first time in L-AMT of engineering ceramics.