Resource efficient low series production of low alloy steel parts (RELOW)

Purpose and goal:

The project goal is to investigate how additive manufacturing and post processes can contribute to increased circularity when manufacturing short series of transmission components in low-alloy steel. For prototypes and spare parts, additive manufacturing could be an attractive option to reduce the need for storage, development time and costs, as well as transport and increase resilience.

Within the automotive and hand-held tool industry, there are components that could potentially be manufactured with additive manufacturing, but only if the quality requirements are met. Expected results and effects:

The goal is to find out in which cases low-alloy additively manufactured components for prototypes and spare parts are a good alternative to traditionally manufactured transmission components, both in terms of mechanical properties and economy and environment. In the long term, this will potentially save resources and contribute to a more circular industry with reduced inventory, development time and transport and increased resilience.

Approach and implementation:

Within the project, both prototypes of transmission components and samples for testing will be manufactured using additive manufacturing in low-alloy steel. The components will be post-processed with, for example, heat treatment, machining and hot isostatic pressing (HIP), in order for the properties to be sufficient. Microstructure and mechanical properties will be evaluated.

In addition, life cycle analysis is performed for selected process paths, and the economics of possible processes are evaluated.