Minnesota-based MTS Systems Corp — a leading supplier of high-performance test systems, motion simulators and sensors — has announced a strategic alliance with Auburn University (in Alabama) to accelerate additive-manufacturing research and test development.
Auburn University is home to the National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence (NCAME).
MTS (
s.mts.com) will supply test equipment to NCAME’s mechanical-testing lab and share its expertise to advance mechanical-testing methods for additively manufactured materials and components.
Making components layer by layer with additive processes allows engineers to tailor their form, weight, strength, stiffness and other properties for specific applications.
To understand how the manufacturing process impacts the material properties, and to ensure consistent in-field performance,it is important to conduct mechanical testing to the appropriate standards.
Auburn University’s NCAME and MTS are working together to identify the mechanical-testing improvements necessary for the further adoption of additive technology.
NCAME director Nima Shamsaei said (
www.eng.auburn.edu/research/centers/additive/index): “If we better understand and improve the mechanical performance of additive products, we can overcome a major barrier against the widespread adoption of this increasingly essential technology.
"In terms of durability and reliability, we have to ask if we trust these products enough to use them in load-bearing safety-critical applications; that has been the focus of our research at Auburn.
"We are very excited about our new alliance with MTS.
"As one of the leading institutes in the design and manufacture of mechanical-testing apparatus, its expertise can directly benefit our research activities related to the mechanical characterisation of additive materials.”