Additive Technology in Practice: Test Analysis of a Hydraulic Valve with an Innovative Valve Plate
Jan Bartolj, Univerza v Ljubljani, Fakulteta za strojništvo; Domen Strenčan,, dr. David Homar, univ. dipl. inž., oba Solid World d. o. o., Radomlje; Izr. prof. dr. Franc Majdič, univ. dipl. inž., Univerza v Ljubljani, Fakulteta za strojništvo,
Ventil Vol. 31 (2025) 4 / Review articles / Technical Article – 1.01
Abstract:
The study investigates the use of additive manufacturing technologies in the production of hydraulic components, focussing on 3D-printed valves and manifolds with integrated pressure sensors. Additive technologies such as Metal Binder Jetting (MBJ) and Selective Laser Melting (SLM) enable design freedom, component consolidation and optimisation of internal geometry to reduce pressure losses and mass. In the study, metal valves were manufactured and tested using the MBJ process, which enables high productivity and the production of complex structures without supports. A comparison with the SLM process shows the advantages of the MBJ process through higher production speeds, lower costs and a reduced need for support structures. Flow and pressure measurements showed that the additively manufactured valve manifold has a lower pressure drop of around 4 MPa at the same flow rate, which means greater efficiency. In addition, the 3D-printed valve body is 67% lighter than the conventionally manufactured one. The results confirm that additively manufactured components are suitable for series use in the hydraulics industry, as they offer better efficiency, shorter assembly times and the possibility of design optimisation despite higher costs compared to conventional parts.
Keywords:
Additive technologies, geometry optimization, hydraulic valves, connection plates, measurements
Copyright (c) 2025 Jan Bartolj, Domen Strenčan, David Homar, Franc Majdič
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