Smart 3D printed materials

Smart 3D printed materials by embedding robust effective Structural Health Monitoring system

Life cycle cost reduction

The reduction of the direct operating costs of machines, structures and vehicles is pursued in numerous industrial sectors. Condition based maintenance, the scheduling of maintenance (intervals) on basis of continuous health information of the structure, can be a key enabler for these cost savings. The implementation of a robust and effective structural health monitoring (SHM) system provides the user with the required health information about the structure, but the implementation of the SHM system has even further potential in the creation of products with an increased added value for the customer; it results in an increased safety level, a higher reliability and employability of the machines, etc. By perfectly monitoring the “health” of the systems, a reduction of the total life cycle cost could also be aspired by enabling an easy implementation of life extension programs of the systems. Many SHM systems have been proposed in the past, but most of them have proven to be very sensitive to changing environmental conditions, accidental damage, false detections, grease, dirt and other polluting liquids, which resulted in very poor results when operated in the field.