Detailed Program of the 22nd ISC 2024

Additive Manufacturing of Billets for Gasket Production: Evaluating Usability, Overcoming Challenges, and Enhancing Economic Viability

Summary

The rise of additive manufacturing (AM) has sparked a transformative wave across diverse industries, offering unprecedented possibilities for intricate geometries and customized components. This abstract delves into the initial assessment of AM processes for producing billets, specifically targeting semi-finished goods intended for milling or turning various gasket shapes.

Traditionally, billets have relied on conventional methods like casting and molding, which involve manual labor, handling of harmful chemicals, or extensive setup times for economic viability. This abstract highlights AM as a promising alternative, enabling the creation of billets to boost performance and efficiency.

Examining various AM production technologies, the presentation will address critical challenges associated with void formation in billets. Voids jeopardize structural integrity and functionality, leading to potential failures, leaks, and safety concerns. Strategies to mitigate and eliminate voids in AM processes will be explored, ensuring the reliability of the final components.

Material selection's impact on the technical suitability of semi-finished goods for diverse applications will be discussed. Different materials exhibit unique behaviors during both the AM process and in the application of finished goods, emphasizing the crucial role of appropriate material selection for optimal performance.

Beyond technical considerations, achieving process economics is vital for industrial application. The presentation provides an economic outlook, estimating reductions in billet warehousing for both users and manufacturers. This approach liberates capital and space, enabling just-in-time production of billets and enhancing the economic viability of AM in the billet manufacturing process.