3-D-printing with steel: Additive manufacturing of connection elements

Abstract

Automated production is already finding its way into steel construction fabrication. A robot holds attachments (stiffeners, head plates, etc.) to a steel beam and another robot welds them. But welding robots can also be used for additive manufacturing (Wire & Arc Additive Manufacturing, WAAM). The wire electrode serves as printing material. The Institute for Steel Construction and Materials Mechanics is investigating how typical connecting elements of steel construction can be printed directly on steel beams using Additive Manufacturing with arc welding and robots. The main focus is on determining suitable welding and process parameters. In addition, topology optimization is used to search for structures that are made possible by the free design possibilities of 3-D printing and thus novel production strategies. This paper presents these topology-optimized structures. Also first investigations on additive manufactured test specimens are shown.