Course content

Deepening into the main factors for the acceleration of advanced processes for subtractive, additive and forming manufacturing as for instance High Performance Machining, Direct Metal Object Fabrication (DIMOF) and Incremental Sheet Metal Forming (ISMF) together with their integration into modern time-compressing engineering methods like Design for Manufacturing, Applied Nonlinear Optimisation, Concept and Concurrent Engineering, Geometric Reverse Engineering, manufacturing data generation and exchange, Closed Quality Loop - and Virtual Manufacturing. Theoretical basis and necessary Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for the active utilisation of both hardware and software applications including real-world examples from selected application areas accompanied with practical laboratory works/projects, especial in DIMOF with for instance the Selective Laser Melting process. Platform establishment for Hybrid Manufacturing joining exemplarily together subtractive, additive and forming fabrication processes for the make of a complex workpiece. Further actual Research and Development problems are being discussed reflecting the international and national state of the art.

Learning outcome

Theory and practice in production-adapted methodologies for time compression and acceleration in manufacturing of sophisticated free-form objects (work pieces, both with the special focus on tools). Course participants experience selected hardware and software tools for being able to contribute actively to problem solutions for manufacturing accelerations and bottleneck avoidances. It is to be focussed on dissemination of knowledge and selected skills for the value-adding process chains in Rapid Manufacturing & Tooling (as core area of Time-compression Manufacturing Technologies) and here especially on the application of relevant ICT support routines (e.g. Geometric Reverse Engineering, applied non-linear optimisation) throughout the whole value-adding process including an extensive discussion of actual research problems. Special attention is being given to the implementation of an example for the hybrid fabrication of a complex workpiece.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, selected guest lectures, exercises, PC- and lab exercises, one colloquium and project work. The course requires an accepted project report. The project work documented by a report gives 50% of the final grade. The course is to be given in English. If there is a make-up examination necessary, the examination form may be changed from written to oral.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises
• Project work

Recommended previous knowledge

Knowledge corresponding to TPK4105 Manufacturing Technology.

Course materials

Koch, W. H.: "Rapid Manufacturing". Lecture Notes. Trondheim, 2011. Selected papers from scientific journals.