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The research team has now succeeded in producing miniaturised supermagnets using laser-based 3D printing.
Image: IMAT – TU Graz
Permanent magnets are incorporated into a number of mechatronic applications.
Traditional manufacturing methods such as sintering or injection moulding are not always able to cope with increasing miniaturisation and the resulting geometric requirements for magnets, and this is a trend which is sent to continue in the future.
Additive manufacturing processes offer the necessary freedom of design.
The research team, involving Prof. Dr. Jörg Franke from the Institute for Factory Automation and Production Systems at FAU, has now succeeded in creating super magnets using laser-based 3D printing.
Metallic powder of the magnetic material is added layer by layer and the particles are joined by melting.
The process allows magnets to be printed with a relatively high density at the same time as controlling their microstructure.
This allows researchers to tailor the magnetic properties to suit the required application exactly.
Further information
Prof. Dr. Ing. Jörg Franke
Institute for Factory Automation and Production Systems
Phone: + 49 9131 85 27569
joerg.franke@faps.fau.de