Although SLS 3D Printing provides great benefits, one of the most challenging issues operators face while manufacturing with this technology is the control of build chamber conditions. So far, 3D printer manufacturers that develop SLS 3D printing technology have developed a dedicated equipment to handle this issue. That’s what we saw with Sinterit, Sintratec and today, Wematter is no exception.
The manufacturer of Gravity 2021 releases Atmosphere. As the name suggests, the new equipment is designed to control the build chamber conditions and to ensure the ideal part density, surface finish, and mechanical performance.
Creating a more stable thermal environment during the printing process.
To achieve durable printed components and at the same time reduces the wear of the material that is not fused in the powder bed inside the build chamber, Wematter imagines a “plug-and-play system” that does not require any additional equipment such as ventilation or compressed air.
Thanks to the connection to Gravity’s Deep Space software, Atmosphere starts automatically at each print job for increased reliability. The unit only works by regulating the air that is already in the room and does not add any additional substances to the machine.
Furthermore, after each print with the Gravity 3D-printer, the remaining material is collected with the Inertia powder collector and then sent back to Wematter for inspection. As a result of reduced heat variations, the wear on the powder that is not fused decreases, which means that a larger proportion can be recycled. Atmosphere will therefore be an important component in Wematter’s work for sustainable manufacturing, where the amount of consumed raw material is reduced while also allowing customers to produce more cost-effectively.
Another advantage of the balanced process is a higher number of possible components per print job, that is an increased part density, without the risk of parts fusing together. White prints also become more white as no discoloration of the material can occur.
“Some manufacturers solve the climate aspect with complicated infrastructure, others solve it with a gas tube, which entails a great safety risk. We have a stand-alone system that is safe for the user from a work environment point of view. It will be a safer alternative than, for example, just connecting a nitrogen generator”,explains founder and CEO Robert Kniola.
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