Development of a Tool for generating a constant Volume Flow with Peristaltic Pumps for robot-controlled Concrete Extrusion

Concrete extrusion in the field of additive manufacturing is a complex process in which material, conveying technology, strategy and robot parameters must be specifically coordinated. According to the state of the art, screw pumps with a constant delivery volume are used to convey the concrete. The high shear rates associated with this conveying principle are a disadvantage. For example, mixed reinforcement fibers are damaged so that this fiber reinforcement loses its force-absorbing function. Another type of pump is the peristaltic pump, which is gentle on materials. This pump delivers discontinuously, so that no extrudates with a constant cross-section can be produced. The aim of this work is the development and testing of a device design for the realization of a constant discharge rate with peristaltic pumps and their experimental validation.