Generative Herstellung von Wachsmodellen auf Trägerplatten und anschließender galvanoplastischer Aufbau zur Herstellung komplexer Innenstrukturen

Abstract

In fuel cell technology, some components are used which are responsible for guiding liquid media. Produced by conventional manufacturing, there are often sealing issues and a trouble- and maintenance-free deployment is no longer ensured. Against this background, a new process combination is currently being developed in a joint project between the University of Duisburg-Essen, the Center for Fuel Cell Technology and Galvano-T electroplating forming GmbH. Beside the fuel cell industry, this combination is also relevant for all fields, where filigree inner hollows are required. The approach combines Multi-jet modelling (MJM), electroforming and milling to produce a defined external geometry. Thereby the wax models are generated on copper base plates and are subsequently copper-coated in a sufficient thickness. Afterwards, the undefined electroplated surfaces are machined to achieve the desired measurement and the wax is melted out. After the fundamental proof of technical feasibility, the MJM on 3D Systems` Thermojet was adapted to ensure a stable process. Furthermore, in the AiF sponsored ZIM-project, existing limits and possibilities could be shown and different approaches of electroplating could be investigated. This includes the key issue, whether activation of the wax structure by a conductive initial layer is required. The article includes the explanation of the project´s basic concept and gives some insight into current research.