Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
In the completed project "Bionic manufacturing" (01RB0906A) scientists from Fraunhofer IWM developed software that creates lightweight constructions by microstructuring bulk designs.
The conformity of the microstructure allows a beforehand calculation of mechanical properties like strength and stiffness.
To optimize the efficiency of the design, the microstructure can be adapted to a given load situation.
This adaptation happens by a local increase of selected struts.
The resulting cellular structure can be manufactured by different additive manufacturing processes.
The cantilever chair "Cellular Loop" was developed and manufactured as a demonstrator.
Project:
Bionic manufacturing, supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research under grant (01RB0906A)
Publication:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-016-9615-z, https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bate.201300091
Pending:
A German patent has been granted (DE 102012203869 A1)
Contact:
Fraunhofer IWM, Dr. Jörg Lienhard, joerg.lienhard@iwm.fraunhofer.de, +49 761 5142 339