3D-printer for metal of the type Metal Wire Laser Direct Energy Deposition

The Department of Management and Engineering at Linköping University established a center for additive manufacturing in 2024. Its purpose is to provide infrastructure and expertise in 3D printing. The center supports both undergraduate education and research and can manufacture components in both polymer and metal.

Within the metal area, the current infrastructure is limited to supporting research in E-PBF (Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion). The purpose of this procurement is to acquire an easy-to-use metal additive manufacturing system with a relatively low variable cost that can be used for undergraduate education, research, and by the department's workshop. A technology well suited for these purposes is laser-based Wire DED (Direct Energy Deposition), which is the focus of this procurement.

Several external research partners have also expressed interest in research using this technology. Wire DED enables printing in a variety of alloys and allows comparatively simple changeover between metals. This makes the technology useful for workshop, research and education activities.

The wire feedstock also supports relatively low material costs and straightforward material handling compared with many other metal additive manufacturing technologies. A more detailed description of the procurement object and the requirements is presented in chapter 4, Specification of requirements.