Flying 2,000 km emission-free and unmanned in the future<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nFor the battery cell holders, VOCUS relies on Onyx FR, a self-extinguishing and flame-retardant material that is processed with the Markforged X7.<\/span><\/p>\n\u201eAs soon as this battery can be installed, we will be able to achieve a range of 700 kilometres with our research aircraft. In a further development stage, the range extender (REX), a Wankel motor with generator, will be integrated into the aircraft, extending the range to up to 2,000 kilometres non-stop. In the final stage of development, the REX will be replaced by a hydrogen fuel cell and thus one of our goals, \u201eemission-free aviation\u201c, would be achieved. \u201eWe are pursuing this vision with a lot of passion, but we still have a long way to go in terms of development,\u201c says Stefan Gorkenant, CEO and head of marketing at AdvanTec and VOCUS GmbH.<\/span><\/p>\nAnother project deals with the optimisation of a BMS (Battery Management System) for electric mobility systems. The goal is to increase efficiency and optimally monitor the battery systems. Here, too, AdvanTec and VOCUS GmbH consistently use the Markforged Printfarm in the areas of rapid prototyping and production of pre-series and small series. \u201eNot only battery technology is facing development leaps here, but also the entire periphery, such as module construction and cell monitoring. Additive manufacturing is an essential key to implementing developments quickly and cheaply,\u201c explains Stefan Gorkenant.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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\u201eWe were able to accelerate our research projects in the field of new electromobility with the hybrid powertrain enormously. We have more than half the time required for the iteration loops in the partial development, e.g. for the battery holders, and this has drastically reduced the costs. No expensive tools had to be made and this enabled independent work.\u201c<\/em><\/span>
\n\u2013 Stefan Senger, CEO AdvanTEc and VOCUS GmbH<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
The Future<\/span><\/h2><\/div><\/div>
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Huge potential in aviation<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nVOCUS has been working with one Keyence and four Markforged 3D printers (one X7, two Mark Two, one Onyx One). With the X7, they can exploit the potential for aerospace as it can print with the flame-retardant Onyx FR.<\/span><\/p>\nFurthermore, VOCUS offers design and 3D printing services for aerospace, medical and mechanical engineering.
\n\u201eWe also want to offer our skills and experience to our customers, which is now well received.\u201c<\/span><\/p>\nAt VOCUS GmbH, 10 engineers and 5 product designers have been gathering expertise in the aerospace industry for over 20 years. For the future, Stefan Gorkenant has taken a look at the Markforged Metal X to define the appropriate materials for their next project, whether copper, steel, aluminium or Inconel. But ceramics are also an interesting material.<\/span><\/p>\nThere is huge potential for additive manufacturing in the aerospace sector \u2013 and exciting developments are still expected in the coming years!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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