Automated, Closed-loop Systems for 3D Printing at Scale
Metal powder conveying equipment manufacturer Volkmann USA, Bristol, PA, has unveiled fully automated, closed-loop metal powder management systems for high-volume additive manufacturing operations. Designed for seamless integration with 3D printers from all printer manufacturers, the central metal powder management systems provide precise control over the transfer and loading of metal powder from storage into multiple 3D printers, part depowdering and cleaning, and the capture, sieving, and transfer of excess powder to storage or back for reprocessing. By replacing manual operations with a scalable, centralized approach, the Volkmann closed-loop systems ensure an uninterrupted flow of metal powder to hundreds of printers simultaneously, maximizing uptime while reducing cost per part.
Running unattended around the clock and controlled remotely, the metal powder management systems operate as a fully enclosed, sealed circuit. This design creates a continuous barrier between the material and the surrounding work environment throughout every stage of the process. As a result, concerns related to metal powder contamination, nuisance dust, and worker safety are effectively eliminated.
The proprietary closed-loop metal powder systems are proven effective with a wide range of materials, including tungsten, cobalt, silver powder, iron, stainless steel, alumina, nickel chrome, copper, titanium, and other metallic powders. Systems can be customized with inline vacuum drying, buffer storage, and additional accessories to meet specific production requirements. Inert gas systems are also available for applications requiring controlled atmospheres.
