Page 38 - 3D Metal Printing Winter 2018

3D BACKTALK
Much More to AM Than Printing
By Louis A. Kren
3D printing has been around for a long time, albeit origi- nally under the name rapid prototyping. But only in the past few years has the industry traveled far and wide, penetrating hobbyist and manufacturing environments the world over. Slowly but surely, knowledge and infrastructure have taken hold, and the pieces are in place to position addi- tive manufacturing (AM) as a viable, efficient means of produc- tion, alongside machining, casting, forging and other venera- ble processes. But there’s a problem...the name. 3D “printing.”
expected. In situ monitoring ensures quality during layering, and, unique in the industry, Sintavia employs its own hot-iso- static-pressing unit and vacuum furnace to guarantee part density and strength. Wire-EDM and other finishing equip- ment as well as CT and blue-light scanners ensure required dimensions, finishes and interior characteristics. All of these inhouse capabilities bring a host of advantages for customers, such as lower cost, shortened lead time and improved quality control. With 75 percent of its business targeting the ultra- demanding aerospace market, bringing peace of mind to cus- tomers regarding the entire AM path from powder to part is Sintavia’s major selling point.
And, even if Harbec never pursued AM, it would still have a heck of a story to tell. Owing to a commitment to environmen- tal sustainability on the part of its owner, the company gener- ates 80 percent of its power and recycles waste and rainwater for use throughout the plant. An injection-molding juggernaut, Harbec employs formidable machining capability as well as 3D printing to produce mold parts, tooling and some parts for outside customers.
Recognizing finishing not only as a crucial AM process but as a potential bottleneck, Harbec recently invested in ‘smart’ tumble-finishing equipment featuring algorithms that assess part material and density, and then manipulate machine movement and detergent introduction to produce the desired finish. Quiet and simple to hook up, locate and operate, Har- bec’s new finishing addition already has paid dividends in part quality and productivity. Read the article for details on this unique finishing technology.
Obviously, quality AM machines are the lynchpin of AM companies. But as Sintavia and Harbec illustrate, investment in all of the other related processes is necessary to deliver parts that keep customers coming back for more. As 3D metal print- ing continues to saturate industry, the importance of these processes will only be magnified, and those that wholehearted- ly take them into account will be the big winners.
Senior Editor lkren@3DMPmag.com
“Companies that recognize how many other factors beyond the actual layering affect production of a final part, and plan for those factors, are poised to succeed.”
Print it and it’s ready to go... just like paper in an ink printer. That’s what the name implies. The fact is—and I’m probably preaching to the choir here—the layering process is only one piece of the AM puzzle. Those knee-deep in AM have learned this, and those assessing the technology or looking from the outside are, or will be, learning the hard way.
Companies that recognize how many other factors beyond
the actual layering affect production of a final part, and plan for those factors, are poised to succeed. I’ve seen that firsthand in preparation of this issue of 3D Metal Printing. Read about Sintavia, a Florida-based metal-AM-part provider, beginning on page 16, and Harbec, an injection molder and more near Buffalo, NY, beginning on page 26.
I visited Sintavia and Harbec and witnessed how much they stress not only the actual printing, but all of the other process- es required. Sintavia, with an inhouse metallurgical laboratory and state-of-the art post-processing and quality-control equipment, tackles AM from powder acceptance through part delivery. In the door, powder, even if it’s certified, undergoes rigorous testing to ensure that Sintavia receives what is
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