A project team of the Technische Universität Dresden and the Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS have developed a self-cleaning metallic surface. The scientists structured an aluminum plate with a laser process in such a way that water droplets can roll at its surface and thus remove dirt particles – completely without chemical cleaning agents or additional effort.

Additive manufacturing is being increasingly used for industrial applications. However, long production times currently inhibit its use in large-scale series production typical of the automotive industry. Combining conventional processes with AM can be one solution to meet this challenge.

Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS in Dresden have developed innovative methods enabling more materials to be processed in additive manufacturing than ever before. For example, additive manufacturing systems could facilitate better future aircraft engines with lower fuel consumption.

The Fraunhofer IWS developed Remoweld Flex, a laser welding process that can weld components made of die cast aluminum in a media-tight manner.