The method of additive manufacturing entails a important step of eradicating unfused powder from metallic components. Solukon’s methods have automated this activity for components produced by way of Laser Powder Mattress Fusion (LPBF) processes for a few years. Not too long ago, a venture with Reichenbacher Hamuel GmbH has leaped ahead by unifying the unpacking and depowdering course of in a single system.
Within the phrases of Solukon, as soon as the LPBF course of is accomplished, the manufactured half resides inside a “powder cake” of unutilized metallic powder inside a container. The method of unpacking the half, which entails separating it from the powder cake, normally necessitates vacuuming and clearing away the powder. As soon as the half is freed and extracted from the container, it’s positioned in a Solukon system. This technique routinely eliminates any unfused metallic powder from the intricate inside of the half utilizing a programmable two-axis rotation and vibration, making the powder fluid and enabling it to circulation out in a managed method. That is the normal technique for eradicating powder from intricately laser-melted metallic components. For the primary time, the Reichenbacher – Solukon venture integrates these two course of steps right into a single automated system.
A vital facet of the Reichenbacher – Solukon venture is that the whole container housing the half, and never simply the half itself, is loaded into the SFM-AT1000-S. The Reichenbacher container has detachable sides and a backside, and is held in place by a zero-point clamping system. The container is then flipped, and the unfastened powder is routinely emptied from the powder cake. This evacuated powder is instantly transported to an exterior station for materials preparation.
Subsequently, the consumer employs an exterior cellular lifting system or crane to take away the field body, making the half fully accessible. As standard, the Solukon system then employs its distinctive SPR know-how with programmable two-axis rotation and adjustable vibration to scrub the half. The SPR-Pathfinder software program makes it straightforward to calculate upfront the movement sequence within the Solukon system, utilizing the half’s CAD file. The SFM-AT1000-S is designed to accommodate packing containers weighing as much as 800 kg, and it will possibly even dislodge cussed powder clumps within the half’s inside channels with assistance from a high-frequency knocker.
“The SFM-AT1000-S with field unpacking is a venture with a excessive diploma of automation. Moreover, it demonstrates how flexibly our methods can be utilized for particular person buyer options. We’re glad to assist Reichenbacher of their venture unpacking packing containers of laser-melted metallic components. That is how, collectively, we create an actual aggressive edge for Reichenbacher’s prospects,” expressed Andreas Hartmann, CEO and CTO of Solukon.
Dr. Alexander Kawalla-Nam led Reichenbacher Hamuel’s Additive Manufacturing Workforce to develop this industry-ready automated resolution. He acknowledged, “With Solukon, we as soon as once more have a system in our portfolio that has a really distinctive promoting level and makes us stand out within the space of post-processing towards customary options on the AM market. This places Reichenbacher ready to map the whole 3D printing course of chain. We thank Mr. Hartman and workforce for his or her openness and quick execution of the venture.”
Proving its efficacy, the SFM-AT1000-S has already handed its field unpacking and depowdering subject take a look at. A number one metal mould producer for the concrete {industry} has been using the system for a number of months.
