Page 27 - 3D Metal Printing Winter 2019
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 that can be applied to individual parts. These smart tags are smaller and can be read by conventional data matrix scanners. The advantage here: Machine-readable tags reduce human error and further automate the post-production process, which sup- ports mass-customization.
This new software release also features upgraded modules. For example, the improved simulation module reduces the num- ber of failed metal builds by showing potential build errors before they occur, without making users switch to a separate specialized application.
Materialise: www.materialise.com
High-Speed Production Printing Via Binder-Jet System
Desktop Metal showcased its Production System metal printer, featuring several major advancements and expanded capabilities, and previewed a range of metal 3D printed parts. The printer and parts demonstrate capabilities from mass serialization in high-mix/high-volume production and assembly consolidation to simplified manufacturing for complex metal parts.
At formnext, the company revealed that the first Production System would be delivered early in 2019 to a Fortune 500 com- pany, with additional installations at major automotive and
other metal-parts manufacturers throughout 2019, and broad availability beginning in 2020.
Featuring Single Pass Jetting technology, the Production System reportedly prints at speeds four times faster than com- peting binder-jet units and offers 100-times speed improvement over laser-based systems. Advancements to the technology and capacity of the Production System include accelerated printing speeds to 12,000 cm3/hr.; an expanded build volume of 750 by 330 by 250 mm; two full-width print bars, advanced powder spreaders and an anti-ballistic system that work to spread powder and print in a single pass across the build area; and the use of 32,768 piezo inkjet nozzles that enable printing of an array of metals, including tool steels, low-alloy steels, titanium and alu- minum, at a rate of 3 billion drops/sec. As a result, the Production System reportedly prints more than 60 kg/hr. of metal.
And, the binder-jet system uniquely features an industrial inert environment, including gas recycling and solvent recovery, to safely print reactive metals in mass production.
Desktop Metal: www.desktopmetal.com
Automated-Finishing Provider Launches in Europe
Buffalo-NY-based PostProcess Technologies displayed its fin- ishing solutions at formnext for the first time, and used the event to promote the opening of its first international office and the launch of its product line in Europe.
A provider of automated post-processing technology for AM support removal and surface finishing, the company opened a location, PostProcess Technologies International, in Sophia- Antipolis, near Nice, France.
“While we have an immediate solution to automate post- printing for support
removal and sur-
face finish, the real
power of the Post-
Process technology
is its capability to
enable digital man-
ufacturing in a fac-
tory 4.0 environ-
ment,” says Bruno
Bourguet, who heads
the new office.
“There is high inter-
est from companies
in Europe in our
solutions and the
role that automated post-printing plays in unleashing the power of 3D printing.”
Dovetailing on the new-office announcement, PostProcess also revealed that Rösler has been chosen to provide PostProcess' support-removal and surface-finishing solutions for AM to the European market.
PostProcess provides software, hardware and chemistry designed specifically for AM. The software operating intelligence has been built by benchmarking more than 500,000 parts of all print technologies, and it continues to learn from its growing installed base of machines. The ability to automate the final stages of 3D printing (support removal and surface finish) allows for automated production of customer-ready 3D parts, which is fundamental to scaling 3D printing for mass customization, according to company officials. Because PostProcess solutions are automated, digitized systems, the officials note, they enable full digitization of AM for the Industry 4.0 factory floor. PostProcess Technologies: www.postprocess.com
AM Process Simulation Predicts Distortion
Siemens debuted AM Process Simulation, a solution for pre- dicting distortion during 3D printing. As layers build during 3D printing, residual heat from fusing the layers can cause parts to warp inside of the printer, causing various problems, from struc- tural issues within the part itself to print stoppage. Simulation
3D
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