The Fiber Encapsulating Additive Manufacturing (FEAM) process uses fiber material made of glass, which is applied to any substrate via a polymer coating, fixed and mechanically protected without impairing the optical properties. This technology makes it possible to create freely designable lighting elements on 2D or 3D surfaces using side-emitting fiber optics (SEFOs), sensors (fiber Bragg) or data conductors.

We are researching methods to enable fully automated integration of fiber optic elements and developing tool head systems to manufacture faster, more precisely, and efficiently. The goal is to apply light guides directly onto (injection-molded) components to reduce processing times and part numbers.

The demonstrated tool head allows for deposition speeds of up to 50 mm/s with fiber diameters ranging from 0.2 to 1 mm. The coating material can be chosen without limitations, allowing for optimal adaptation to the structure being manufactured. For example, SEFOs with a protective PMMA coating can be applied to a PMMA injection-molded part to create a high-performance, planar lighting element.

The demonstrator will be exhibited at booth E38 in hall 11.0.

The contact person is Lukas Boxberger.