Page 11 - 3D Metal Printing Fall 2017

Tech Update 3D
Metal Printing Based on Arc Welding
Gefertec GmbH, Berlin, Ger- many, unveils its 3DMP metal-print- ing technology at FABTECH (November 6-9 in Chicago), which, based on electric arc welding and using wire as the original material, can produce near-net-shape parts.
Final parts, which compare in
quality to traditionally manufac-
tured parts, according to company
officials, are formed welding layer
by welding layer. Reported advan-
tages over other AM processes
include no powder handling and
availability of most standard materials at lower costs than powder alternatives, as well as maximum material utilization. Also beneficial, production speeds can reach 600 cm.3/hr.
3DMP technology can be used in the company’s GTarc machine, which is available as a three-axis version for parts in sizes to 3 m3 and as a five-axis version for parts to 0.8 m3. These machining centers are ideally suited for the production of complex and large parts made of steel, nickel, titanium or aluminum, according to company offi- cials. 3DMP CAM software calculates the data of a CAD-modeled part, which enables a CNC-control unit to position the welding head with high precision. A standard CNC milling machine can handle finishing chores.
The Gtarc’s modular construction enables simple upgrades. For example, users can upgrade the three-axis version with a pan-tilt-table to obtain the five-axis version. Gefertec GmbH: www.gefertec.de/en
3D Hybrid Solutions and Multiax Team
to Launch World’s Largest Metal 3D Printer
3D Hybrid Solutions, Inc., Seal Beach, CA, provider of metal-printing tools for CNC machines, announced a joint venture with Multiax Interna- tional, Brugnera, Italy, builder of large-format five-axis CNC machines. The collaboration targets the large-scale metal-
AM market with what is believed to be the
world’s largest 3D metal printer, having
a printable space in excess of 500 m3. It also will be one of the fastest, with speeds beyond
20 lb./hr. The addition of a metal-print- ing tool for a CNC machine addresses the inherent need for post-machining of 3D metal parts, while bringing added benefits such as machined internal fea- tures and five-axis printing.
“Hybrid manufacturing is the future for medium to large-scale metal additive manufacturing,” says Karl Hranka, founder, 3D Hybrid Solutions. “The infrastructure costs and paired value makes hybrid the obvious answer. Some of engineering’s greatest feats are hap- pening now because hybrid has the abil- ity to economically furnish parts made with blends of dissimilar metals and composites.”
3D Hybrid Solutions: www.3dhybridsolutions.com
Multiax: www.multiax.com
Bodycote Launches Group of Advanced AM Processes
Bodycote, Macclesfield, England, provider of heattreatment and special- ized thermal-processing services, intro- duced Powdermet technologies, a group of AM processes for the production of complex components using powder metallurgy.
The Powdermet technologies com- bine 3D printing with net-shape and near-net-shape techniques. The tech- nologies achieve powder consolidation and structural homogeneity, and elimi- nate internal porosity and unconsolidat- ed powder flaws. The process allows for the production of components with varying surface features and thicknesses, and with higher structural integrity than alternative production techniques. The need for brazing or welding parts together to form larger structures is eliminated. Different parts of a compo- nent are formed from different alloys, presenting cost-efficient solutions. Component design is tailored to the actual requirements for performance
3DMPmag.com
FALL 2017 • 3D METAL PRINTING | 9