The Copper Xperience Day 2024 was held at the Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation on June 18, 2024. The main topic of the event was 3D printing technology using pure copper and its alloys.
The conference was an opportunity to present challenges, potential market applications and real customer insights. It was also a chance to discuss technological progress and to meet and establish contacts with industry experts.
Lectures by outstanding specialists opened new perspectives for the use of modern technologies in industry including a significant increase in demand for advanced heat exchange in data centers, consistent implementations in the energy industry, and challenges limiting the implementation of copper printing in the nuclear industry.
3D printing technology in copper for aviation and space industry
A key part of Copper Xperience Day 2024 was a tour of the Institute’s spaces related to the process of producing components based on 3D printing. Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation, as one of the few institutions in Poland, conducts innovative research on the entire technological chain of additive manufacturing aimed for the aerospace industry.
“Currently, at the Institute, we are conducting projects related to materials engineering, as well as directly related to the production of advanced elements for the new generation of rocket engines, heavy industry and automotive industry,” says Michał Fedasz, head of the 3D metal printing laboratory at the Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation.
“You should be aware that pure copper is not very durable. But on the other hand, if the application allows for a slight reduction in conductivity, you can make the copper alloy mechanically durable by using alloy additions such as chromium, zirconium or nickel”, adds Michał Fedasz.
The Institute has been specializing in 3D printing technology in metal and polymers for several years. At the end of 2023, a new laboratory building was opened here, which is a result of the continuous increase in the technological potential of the machinery and the development of engineering competences. With the new location, the Institute has expanded its product offer, encouraging customers to use the concept of an integrated design and manufacturing process based on 3D printing.
_
The Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation is one of the most modern research facilities in Europe, with traditions dating back to 1926. The Institute closely cooperates with global tycoons of the aviation industry, such as: Boeing, GE, Airbus, Pratt & Whitney, and institutions from the space industry, including the European Space Agency. Strategic research areas of the Institute are aviation, space and unmanned technologies. It also provides research and services for domestic and foreign industries in the field of materials, composite, additive, remote sensing, energy and oil&gas technologies. More: ilot.lukasiewicz.gov.pl/en/
The Łukasiewicz Research Network offers businesses attractive, broad and competitive technological solutions. Łukasiewicz provides a unique “challenge system” powered by a group of 4,500 scientists, who take up a business challenge and present the entrepreneur with potential solutions. At the same time, it provides access to cutting-edge capabilities and unique scientific infrastructure in the country. Most importantly – the entrepreneur does not bear the cost of preparing the conception of the research works. Łukasiewicz conveniently meets the expectations of the business. The entrepreneur can contact Łukasiewicz through an online form on our website https://lukasiewicz.gov.pl/en/business/ but also directly in over 50 locations of Łukasiewicz Institutes and their branches throughout Poland. Each site provides the same, high quality, product or service. Łukasiewicz focused on research areas such as: Health, Smart and Clean Mobility, Digital Transformation and Green and Low-emission Economy.
