Machine manufacturer assonic Dorstener Siebtechnik unveils this week at Formnext 2024, a new reactive metal powder preparation system for Additive Manufacturing. The system stands out from the crowd due to its ability to operate material and gas flow in one closed circuit.
As you may know, the preparation and further processing of reactive powders for modern additive manufacturing applications, such as titanium, often consume a large amount of inert gas, which is emitted into the atmosphere after the process. Named SPC 500, the new system from assonic not only conveys the powder but also the respective inert gas using a vacuum in the circuit.
Furthermore, this closed circuit reduces the sometimes enormous costs for inert gases such as argon or nitrogen to a minimum during the pre and post-processing of reactive materials.
For the first time, the sensitive preparation process can also be fully automated and carried out without manual intervention. In this way, the aluminum version of the system achieves a product throughput of appx. 200 kg/h, while the stainless steel version even achieves appx. 400 kg/h.
“With the development of the new SPC 500, assonic has mastered the challenge of automated powder preparation for reactive powders. This means that problem-free, efficient powder handling is now also possible with reactive materials such as titanium − without exploding costs due to high gas consumption and without constant checks by personnel,” explained Paul Tüshaus, Managing Director of the Dorstener Drahtwerke Group, which the company assonic belongs.
A closed automated powder circuit is clean and safe even without the inert option and can save a lot of energy costs if the vacuum generation is selected appropriately. Intermediate powder storage tanks can be connected, and an automated powder conveyor can be integrated between the laser printer and the powder preparation unit. Powder removal systems can also be connected. The SPC can be supplied in various configuration levels.
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