The IAP (Institute for Applied Physics) of the Goethe University Frankfurt has a long experience in the development of 4-Rod RFQs. In the course of a project funded by the HessenAgentur as part of LOEWE funding line 3, the basic design of the 4-rod RFQs is now to be further developed. The aim is to investigate whether an improvement in Q-Value and vacuum can be achieved through new production and construction methods, as well as through fundamental adjustments to the basic geometric structure of the 4-Rod RFQ design. The project is divided into two phases. In the first phase, a simulation model is created in which all necessary changes that affect the RF characteristics of the RFQ are analysed. Based on these results, a demonstrator will then be built on which the innovations can be tested and any improvements examined. This article presents the basic ideas behind the project and the current planning status. This paper shows the basic ideas of the project as well as the current state of planning.

We report the successful high power RF conditioning of the revised 175 MHz FRANZ RFQ up to 80 kW CW, as well as successful beam commissioning up to 700 keV in pulsed operation. After a revision of the RFQ electrodes, the RFQ accelerates protons from 60 keV to 700 keV. The Frankfurt Neutron Source FRANZ will be a compact accelerator driven neutron source utilizing the 7Li(p,n)7Be reaction with a 2 MeV proton beam.

Additive manufacturing ("AM") has become a powerful tool for rapid prototyping and manufacturing of complex geometries. A 433 MHz IH-DTL cavity has been constructed to act as a proof of concept for direct additive manufacturing of linac components. In this case, the internal drift tube structure has been produced from 1.4404 stainless steel, as well as pure copper using AM. We present the most recent results of vacuum, low level RF, as well as RF conditioning of the cavity.