Prof. Ing. Miroslav Zetek, PhD
Expert in machining technology and metal additive manufacturing
University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Czech Republic
Prof. Ing. Miroslav Zetek will give his plenary talk after the conference opening ceremony on 15 May 2025. We are looking forward to hear his thoughts about Metal AM in Tool Optimization.
Miroslav Zetek specializes in the development of innovative cutting tools and the additive manufacturing of metallic materials, uniquely combining both areas into an integrated research framework. His work focuses not only on the design of tools optimized for additive technology, but also on the development of process parameters for novel materials in the field of 3D printing. In this way, he contributes to a more efficient introduction of new products and advanced materials into industrial practice. His work opens up new possibilities for efficient, sustainable and high-precision manufacturing in advanced engineering.
He is the author of several patented technical solutions applied in industrial practice and the holder of international awards for innovation in the field of engineering production. The results of his work are regularly published in relevant journals and presented at international conferences.
Miroslav Zetek is actively involved in the transfer of scientific knowledge into practice through cooperation with industrial partners and at the same time in teaching, where he motivates and develops a new generation of engineers with an emphasis on linking research, development and application.
Plenary talk abstract:
Metal additive manufacturing is fundamentally changing the approach to tooling design, enabling geometries that are unattainable with traditional methods. A key advantage is the ability to integrate conformal cooling channels directly into the body of cutting tools and plastic injection moulds. This presentation will focus on critical aspects of the design and manufacture of such tools - from the proper design of internal structures and selection of suitable materials to the limitations of the SLM technology, to the necessary post-processing.
Specific applications will be used to demonstrate how productivity and tool life can be increased with 3D printing capabilities, as well as where the technological and economic limitations lie. The presentation will provide practical guidance on how to think about tooling design in a completely new way defined by additive manufacturing.