At FormNext, AddUp presents the first pieces made of pure copper as part of the “Ambition” project. This collaborative Research and Development project brings together several industrial partners, including SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC (leader), PSA GROUP, VARINOR, LIFCO INDUSTRIE and ESI, as well as research laboratories: PIMM (Arts et Métiers ParisTech), SIMAP (INP Grenoble), LPGP (Université Paris-Sud) and LERMPS (Université de Technologie de Belfort-Montbéliard). The purpose of this project is to demonstrate the technico-economic feasibility of additive manufacturing of pure copper and copper alloys with powder bed laser beam melting (LBM) technology. Launched in 2018, the “Ambition” project is planned to last 42 months. It has a budget of 5.6 million euros, financed to the tune of 1.8 million euros by national funds (BPI France) and regional funds (Auvergne Rhône-Alpes and Ile- de-France regions) in the form of a FUI (Single Interministerial Fund).

The main objectives of the project are:
- Specification of industrial applications of pure copper and copper alloys (Schneider Electric, PSA Group, Varinor)
- Identification of technico-economic levers relevant to copper additive manufacturing:
o Energy sources (PIMM, SIMAP/INPG, LPGP)
o Printing and process control strategies (AddUp, ESI)
o Powder treatment (LERMPS, Lifco Industrie)
o Adaptation of simulation tools (ESI)
o Development of experimental measurement methods (PIMM, SIMAP, LPGP, Schneider Electric, AddUp)
- Adaptation of machinery and means of production (AddUp)
- Validation of developments through the realization of Proofs of Concepts (AddUp, Schneider Electric, PSA Group, Varinor)
As part of this project, AddUp presents at FormNext a part made of pure copper called “Arc Horn”. This part was designed by Schneider Electric and produced by AddUp on a FormUp® 350 machine.
The first results obtained are remarkable and particularly encouraging, with a density greater than 99.6% in the material, a fusion rate greater than 20 cm3/h per laser, and an excellent electrical conductivity of 97% IACS.
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