Fraunhofer ILT and Etxetar to Advance Extreme High-speed Laser Metal Deposition
Fraunhofer ILT and Etxetar reached a common understanding during discussions at the Formnext trade fair. Pictured: Iraitz Abaigar (front), Thomas Schopphoven (left), Alejandro Barcena (centre), Viktor Glushych, and Itziar Onandia (Courtesy Fraunhofer ILT)
The Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT (Fraunhofer ILT), located in Aachen, Germany, and Etxetar, based in Elgoibar, Spain, have signed a letter of intent, focusing on the further development and industrialisation of laser metal deposition (LMD) and extreme high-speed laser metal deposition (EHLA) technologies.
The goal is to combine Fraunhofer ILT’s research and process expertise with Etxetar’s process industrialisation and machine tool engineering know-how to develop high-performance and scalable solutions for industrial implementation.
The letter of intent establishes a framework for the joint development of expertise, the preparation and implementation of publicly funded projects, and contract research. The collaboration is non-exclusive and allows for additional forms of cooperation, depending on project and market requirements. In addition to established applications, the focus is specifically on new, high-growth sectors, particularly aerospace and energy. Here, LMD- and EHLA-based processes offer potential for functionally integrated coatings, repair strategies, and the efficient manufacturing of sophisticated components.
Dr Thomas Schopphoven, Head of the Laser Material Deposition Department at Fraunhofer ILT, shared, “With Etxetar, we have a strong partner at our side with whom we want to systematically bring LMD and EHLA processes into industry. The aim is to improve the transfer over the ‘last mile’ and to translate research results into concrete plant concepts and various applications.”