2:40 PM - 3:00 PM
[16A-T7-22] Evaluation and Optimization of Process Stability for Piston-Based Material Extrusion with MIM Feedstock
Keywords:material extrusion, MIM feedstock, process stabilty
The use of material extrusion as a complementary shaping technology in MIM process routes enables major cost advantages in prototyping and single/small series production. One granulate processing technology is the Piston-based Material Extrusion process developed at Fraunhofer IAPT, in which loose MIM feedstock is compacted by piston force and then subsequently hot extruded according to the track geometry. The reproducibility of the same geometric and mechanical part properties depends on the elimination of any interferences during extrusion. Throughout printing, short sporadic feedstock-dependent extrusion interruptions occur, serving as an indicator of air inclusions within the molten feedstock. This paper aims to evaluate how temperature, negative pressure in the cylinder, and the sequence of cold and hot compression impact the reduction of air inclusions during compacting and consequently enhance process stability.