Integration of film-based sensor technology in additively manufactured components

Abstract:
The optimal placement of sensors in components is often challenging and associated with great manufacturing effort and high costs. At the IMPT, sensor systems have already been successfully manufactured on injection-moulded laser direct structurable (LDS) plastics and electrically contacted by means of LDS. In order to expand the existing range of applications with further advantageous manufacturing processes, the possibility of combining additive manufacturing and LDS is now being investigated with regard to the possibilities of sensor positioning. For this purpose, components are manufactured from LDS capable filament using the FLM process, thin-film-based sensors are completely embedded in them and then electrically contacted using the LDS process.