The user group for atmospheric pressure plasma (ak-adp) called on representatives of industry, colleges and universities as well as research institutions to take a look at the atmospheric plasma world of tomorrow. We were looking for ideas, concepts and best practice examples that address the new form of surface treatment. They should focus on atmospheric plasmas in relation to innovative product development, the creation of new surface properties, environmental protection and sustainability, energy saving and energy generation or medical and health aspects.
The topic of the two students was “Atmospheric plasma-treated polymer base plates in 3D printing (FDM) of plastic components”. Here it was necessary to replace the usually expensive base plates and the necessary adhesive spray with inexpensive, readily available polymer plates and a one-time atmospheric plasma treatment.
A first conclusion is that a pure atmospheric plasma treatment of the cheaper plates is sufficient to replace the expensive plates and adhesive spray. The adhesive strength is sufficient but not too high, so that even a non-destructive detachment of a component is possible. The process is cheaper and more environmentally friendly than conventional production. Further investigations with different base plates and printing materials and plasma sources should now follow in order to clarify whether the observations from the first tests can be generalized or only apply to special materials.
“We would particularly like to thank our supervisor Professor Bender, the Additive Manufacturing department and the THL funding company, who made it possible for us to carry out the tests in the surface laboratory and participate in the competition,” say Madleen Westphal (Master Mechanical Engineering) and Tobias Landgraff ( Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering).
Further information on the mechanical engineering course
More information on the Mechanical Engineering course
More information on the Additive Manufacturing group
More information about Innovent Jena and the Working Group Atmospheric Pressure Plasma (ak-adp)