Focused fabrication processes:
- Cutting and machining
- Joining and welding
- Conventional arc welding, e.g., cold metal transfer (CMT), metal inert gas (MIG)
- Laser beam welding
- Hybrid laser-arc welding
- Friction Stir Welding (FSW)
- Hybrid Metal Extrusion & Bonding (HYB)
- Additive manufacturing
- Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM)
- Powder bed fusion (PBF)
- Laser metal deposition (LMD), e.g., laser-powder and laser-wire additive manufacturing
- Cold spray additive manufacturing (CSAM)
- Surface treatment
Our competence in aluminium fabrication:
- Knowledge of process physics and process optimization
- Material science and understanding of material response associated with processes
- Numerical frameworks for establishing the process-microstructure-property-performance relationship
- In-situ process monitoring and quality control
- Multi-scale characterization and testing for fabrication process development
Key infrastructure:
- FSW system and HYB (in Raufoss)
- Laser welding station (in Trondheim)
- Meltio directed energy deposition system (in Trondheim)
- SLM Powder Bed Fusion machine (in Trondheim)
- Gleeble 3800 system (in Trondheim)
- Modelling tools and numerical infrastructure
Representative projects:
- IPN OPTIMALS (2017 – 2020): Optimal design and production of lightweight and high-performance aluminium-steel structural components
- IPN LAWALU (2024 – 2026): Towards Successful Laser Welding of Aluminium
- Aluminium Green Platform – AluGreen (2021 – 2025): recycled aluminium
- SFI PhysMet (2020 – 2028): Centre for Sustainable and Competitive Metallurgical and Manufacturing Industry
- IPN AluMast (2015 – 2018): Design of aluminum mast adapted to automated production
- IPN AluBridge (2020 – 2023): Robust design and efficient production of durable and sustainable aluminium bridges
Key publications:
- Horgar et al. Additive manufacturing using WAAM with AA5183 wire, Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 2018
- Ivan et al. A review on laser-assisted joining of aluminium alloys to other metals, Metals 2021
- Ivan at al. CFD modelling for predicting imperfections in laser welding and additive manufacturing of aluminum alloys, Journal of Laser Applications, 2024
