TUM’s iwb releases open-source reAM250 LPBF research platform

The Institute for Machine Tools and Industrial Management (iwb) at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has released the research platform reAM250, an open-source powder bed fusion system developed in close collaboration with industry partners. This platform is designed to provide the research community and industry with a full-scale system for the development of process monitoring and process control systems in powder bed fusion of metals using a laser beam (PBF-LB/M).

At the iwb’s department of additive manufacturing, researchers conduct both simulational and experimental investigations into PBF-LB/M. While several industrial systems are available for these studies, commercially developed machines are often limited in their adaptability and accessibility when it comes to specialized process research. In response, the iwb team has developed an in-house PBF-LB/M system with an open and modular design – offering numerous opportunities for basic and applied research without the constraints of proprietary systems.

The central objective of the reAM250 project is to provide a fully open-source PBF-LB/M platform that goes beyond current industry standards. The system’s modular architecture allows for continuous improvement and the integration of new modules and components. An innovative machine concept was created to guide the initial planning phase – followed by detailed development of individual components such as the vacuum-ready process chamber, the non-contact recoater, and the process gas recirculation system, which includes a cyclone separator. This development process benefited from the collaborative efforts of students, research associates, and industrial partners – enhancing both the teaching environment at iwb and the quality of the research outcomes.

The Autodesk Machine Control Framework ensures robust system control – providing industrial-grade software solutions and detailed documentation of all system states. Following the assembly of all components, the reAM250 platform was validated by successfully manufacturing industry-relevant components – demonstrating that it meets the intended research and development objectives.

Key features of the reAM250 include a high level of modularity that supports hardware updates, the simultaneous integration of multiple process monitoring sensors, and the ability to control atmospheric conditions including flow, pressure, temperature, and gas type. The recoater can be adapted to test new recoating and sensing strategies, and both software and hardware components of the reAM250 are open-source and open-architecture – encouraging ongoing collaboration and innovation.

This approach ensures that the entire AM community can benefit from the system – enabling research into novel process monitoring and control strategies at all scales. The iwb is actively seeking collaborations with industry and research partners to leverage the unique opportunities offered by the reAM250.

All relevant software and hardware data are available for download from the project’s GitHub repository.