Metal 3D printing is gaining popularity in industrial processes as an alternative to conventional manufacturing. In the field of hydraulics, there is also a growing demand for 3D printed components such as valves, pumps and all kinds of housings.
We were faced with the task of designing and manufacturing a hydraulic valve housing whose strength and flow properties were numerically tested and whose external geometry was topologically optimized. Because we were working with a 3D printer, we were able to design complex geometries that resulted in the improved properties of the final product. We printed the valve, measured the hydraulic parameters, and compared the results to the numerical ones. The finished product exceeded expectations and performed better than the conventionally manufactured product. The most important criteria for the comparison were the flow properties, the weight of the finished housing and the manufacturing costs.
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