Adaptive Production for Resource Efficiency in Energy and Mobility (AdaM)
Innovation Cluster with the Fraunhofer IPT, the Fraunhofer ILT and partners from industry
In 2012, the shared aim of advancing the development of pioneering technologies and concepts by using resources more efficiently in the energy supply and mobility sectors brought together the Aachen-based Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT, the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT and 21 partners from industry to form the "AdaM" Innovation Cluster. "AdaM" had a total budget of € 10m and was timetabled to take 2.5 years. It was funded by the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, the Federal State of Nordrhein-Westfalen and by partners from industry.
Within the framework of the project, the partners developed innovative manufacturing concepts and new component designs in order to bring about a considerable increase in the level of energy conversion efficiency, reduce CO2-emissions and conserve resources. The entire process chain was reproduced and validated – starting with the design through additive manufacturing to finish machining operations using actual demonstrator units. This approach enabled the engineers to dovetail manufacturing technologies and process steps with one another, adapting them perfectly to meet evolving requirements.
In particular, the partners applied the integrity of this adaptive concept to steam and gas turbine components for the power plant industry, small gas turbines for decentralized heat and power cogeneration, aero-engines and turbochargers for modern automotive drives. The partners subsequently analyzed conventional processes such as turning and milling as well as additive processes including Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) and Laser Material Deposition and further developed these.
The development work was carried out in the five technology clusters listed below
- Design
- CAx-Technologies
- Machining
- Laser
- Roadmapping