SESAM report
Did the project produce the results you had planned? Were the goals you set from the start met?
The project was successfully completed. The main project goals were achieved as defined in the original plan:
1) Designs and materials were defined in the beginning of the project and adaptations to the process were continuously conducted to reach the required outcome regarding microstructure and performance. During many experimental tests, components were manufactured with the new AM technology.
2) A production-ready deposition tool with adaptive controllers and the necessary equipment for cooling were built to manufacture the final demonstrator. Robust process parameters were found and are now available for the partners.
3) The build method was optimized, and post heat treatment was defined to achieve appropriate properties for manufactured components of DSS 2205.
4) The final setup was upscaled to TRL7 and an exploitation plan was derived.
5) Life-cycle assessment was performed with support of Master thesis workers to assess and enable verification of sustainability benefits of the upscaling. Benefits were demonstrated. Significant reduction of energy and material need can be expected with the CO2 emission reduction.
6) Many dissemination actions were conducted, including several seminars/webinars organized by the consortium to inform the public about this technology. In addition, internal training was organized in cooperation within the consortium.
7) New findings and results were included in educational activities/professional development at University West.
Other important results
Has the project given other important synergies with other projects or initiatives? Will it have an impact on future path choices? Are there significant networks or contacts that have emerged or other types of spinoff results? Which success factors led to the project's results?
The project´s success was based on the very good cooperation between the partners. Understanding and critical open discussions led to identifying obstacles and the development of common strategies to advance. Due to technical hurdles, the project results were achieved with a delay. However, all partners committed to the goals and put significant additional effort in the project to deliver the expected results. This engagement of the partners to find solutions for the unexpected and surprising challenges helped the project to advance. The consortium showed the ability to quickly adapt to new technical conditions and also supported each other e.g. in dissemination activities.
Other results besides the technical project achievements are related to synergies and continuation of cooperation activities and new partnerships. A main synergy is the cooperation with the DEDICATE project (within KK funding). The understanding of the material properties and processability will be further enhanced together with partners from SESAM deepening the knowledge about AM of the complex material and geometry.
SESAM helped build trust among the partners and deepened the cooperations, which are planned to be continued to advance towards industrialization of the technology. E.g. Procada and Alfa Laval are working towards industrial machine integration with support from Adaxis and voestalpine are planned to be material provider for the use case.
What significance or expected effects can the results described above have in the longer term?
An immediate effect will arise since Alfa Laval plans to invest and engage in AM methodology for several products. Those changes will affect the companies´ production facilities and business models. The further development of AM at Alfa Laval will lead to industrial AM machine integration in industry and advanced products made in Sweden. In longer term, this will increase manufacturing capabilities and lead to high product quality.
The new cooperation between Alfa Laval and Procada will lead to an expansion of Procada activities within wire-DED as technology provider. The built trust will lead to knowledge gain and advancement in Procada´s technology.
Long-term cooperation between the partners is expected e.g. Procada supporting the technology development with Adaxis and the material provider voestalpine to build a strong team for the further development of the specific SESAM use case. The SESAM partner plan such direct cooperation and a continuation in funded projects to lift the technology to higher TRL.
In general, the funding of Vinnova of SESAM promoted the development of a key technology that gives rise to AM technology use in Sweden as an emerging technology. This will support important developments in Sweden to increase competitiveness towards global players to be able to produce high-performance products in key fields.
Were the goals you set from the start met? Are there other important results that the project contributed to?
SESAM was successfully completed and the main project goals were achieved. The consortium developed process technology for Additive Manufacturing of complex stainless steel material using laser-wire Directed Energy Deposition. Extensive experimental work and equipment development were performed to derive the thermal input leading to the desired material quality and performance. The good cooperation within the consortium led to the production of a sustainably manufactured demonstrator part.
Summarize what long-term effects the project is expected to have
SESAM partners intensified their cooperation, and continued activities are planned to elevate the technology further to industrial level. Long-term cooperation between the partners is expected within direct cooperation and a continuation in funded projects to lift the technology to higher TRL.
The development of key technologies in AM will support important developments in Sweden to increase competitiveness towards global players to be able to produce high-performance products in key fields.
Summarize the plan for the project and how the implementation went
Were they the right activities? Did the project develop as intended? Were you able to follow the time plan? Are there external factors that have influenced the project? Did unexpected and unplanned things happen? Did the collaboration work as intended?
Project´s success was based on the good cooperation in the team with focus on overcoming obstacles. The methodology was defined correctly and conducted accordingly. The SESAM technical progress developed as intended. Due to unexpected technical hurdles in the unexplored research fields, the project results were achieved with a delay in the time plan. However, all partners committed to the goals and put significant additional effort to deliver the expected results.