[T7] AM Sinter Based Technologies

[15A-T7-06] Validation of Process Parameters for Binder Jetting of Gears (17-4PH)

*L. Klee^{1, 2}, E. E. Breuer^{1, 2}, M. Davidovic^{1, 2}, J. Brimmers¹, T. Bergs^{2, 3} (1.RWTH Aachen University, Germany, 2.MTI - Manufacturing Technology Institute, Germany, 3.Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT, Germany)

Keywords:Binder Jetting, Additive Manufacturing, Gear Manufacturing, Process Parameters, Gears

Binder Jetting (BJT) of gears is a multi-stage additive manufacturing (AM) process that generates part geometry by depositing a liquid binder in a powder bed layerwise. The BJT process produces green compacts of gears that are sintered by secondary heat treatment processes. The impact of various process parameters on the reproducible manufacturing has not been systematically investigated. Selection of process parameters, such as printing speed and amount of binder, is often an iterative process. Previous scientific studies have considered the suitability of process parameters for BJT processes in general, but are unsuitable for the parameter selection of for printing highly stressed gears due to the quality requirements. This report presents a systematic method for validating the printing speed and binder quantity in terms of reliability, productivity, and economy for manufacturing BJT gears. The knowledge gained allows for the determination of suitable process parameters based on experimental data.