Design Concepts for the Integration of Electronic Components into Metal Laser-based Powder Bed Fusion Parts

Abstract Additive manufacturing (AM) stands out from other manufacturing processes because it enables covering the functionality of an assembly by one single component only. In order to further increase the functional density in AM parts, it is of interest to integrate sensors in metal components during the Laser-based Powder Bed Fusion manufacturing process. This paper presents design concepts that facilitate an automated integration process of electronic components by using specific and individual criteria. In consideration of an automated embedding process, a standardized solid is outlined to unify different sensor types in a design space.