The 3D printing business is continually evolving, transferring an increasing number of in direction of mass manufacturing and the necessity to optimize manufacturing and post-processing processes. As highlighted within the newest report from PostProcess Applied sciences, which analyzes post-processing traits in 2022, business customers are displaying a rising curiosity in course of automation, and are more and more specializing in the difficulty of office security. Publish-processing actions are nonetheless typically carried out manually and individually, making them repetitive, time-consuming and unattractive for operators and firms alike, who wish to allocate manpower and expertise to greater value-added actions.
In opposition to this backdrop, Spengler, a younger firm born from founders Stefano Rebecchi and Alessandro Facchini’s greater than ten years’ expertise in 3D printing, is specializing in post-processing with a purpose to fill sure gaps on this market phase. The corporate, a part of the Franco-Italian IntegrAM group, now provides a variety of providers and options for additive manufacturing: from the design of personalized SLS printing programs to supplies improvement consultancy, automated post-processing programs for polymer 3D printing and floor ending for metals. One of the fascinating options on provide is the DCK 01 system.
The programs provided by Spengler are produced in Italy in collaboration with IntegrAM Group companions.
This can be a absolutely automated post-processing system for PBF (Powder Mattress Fusion) additive applied sciences, comprising the assorted particular person modules provided by Spengler, which mix completely on this all-in-one answer. Based on the producer, DCK 01 is the one automated answer able to providing decaking, cleansing, floor ending and depowdering. However what are the technical options of this post-processing answer? And the way can it meet present business wants?
Spengler’s DCK 01 All-in-One System for Larger Effectivity and Security
Wanting on the additive manufacturing market, it’s clear that these gamers who’ve determined to give attention to automation and security have a head begin. The more and more digital, quick and environment friendly Business 4.0 calls for ever greater manufacturing requirements, but additionally smarter administration of accessible expertise and better office security.
The DCK 01 system has been developed to satisfy these new necessities. How? By providing post-processing automation, operational effectivity and enhanced security. This orientation stems from direct commentary of the difficulties nonetheless encountered by corporations repeatedly utilizing PBF applied sciences. “We began out growing SLS printers, so we all know what it means to work with powder day-after-day. That is what prompted us to develop the DCK 01 system with our companions within the Italian IntegrAM Group,” explains Stefano Rebecchi, co-founder of Spengler.
After printing, the powder cake is fed into the machine with out coming into contact with the operator.
One of the generally used powders in additive manufacturing is polyamide or nylon, specifically PA11 and PA12. Though nylon shouldn’t be poisonous to people, it might trigger pores and skin and eye irritation in operators performing handbook decaking or depowdering operations. To this point, there are usually not sufficient research on the topic, however latest analysis, akin to that revealed within the Journal of Security, Well being and Ergonomics “Habits and Influence of Polyamide Nylon to the Indoor Air High quality throughout SLS Powder Dealing with Course of,” is starting to spotlight the necessity for higher well being safety for technicians.
The DCK 01 system, on this sense, is designed to significantly scale back powder contact time and assure better productiveness, because of quicker processes and the allocation of personnel to different actions.
Options of the DCK 01 System
Thus far, we’ve talked about the advantages of the DCK 01 system, however which customers may gain advantage from it? The IntegrAM DCK 01 system is designed to deal with components produced by medium-sized PBF printers in high-production environments. It’s subsequently excellent for customers of SLS or Multi Jet Fusion 3D printers, with a number of programs to handle, and who want to optimize workflow of their manufacturing, akin to print departments or OEMs.
In technical phrases, the DCK 01 has a footprint of 200 x 115 x 210 cm, and is able to processing an entire cake with a quantity of 30/40 liters in lower than an hour. This makes it doable to deal with a number of muffins a day, saving as much as 3 hours per print in contrast with handbook strategies. The system’s flexibility additionally makes it doable to course of bigger powder muffins and adapt the product to particular buyer necessities.
Its capabilities embrace: a “decaking” part, throughout which the components are gently extracted from the powder cake; self-regulated restoration of the powder used; a de-powdering part and automated cleansing of the components via a patented vibratory sandblasting course of; and an ecological, chemical-free floor ending course of. Added to this are customizable machining applications through a touch-screen interface and PLC, in addition to an ATEX extraction answer. An built-in two-cycle mixing and screening system and a powder conveying system can be added.
Items are gently faraway from the cake earlier than automated cleansing begins.
Based on the producer, the DCK 01 system, by optimizing time and assets, permits the funding to pay for itself in a brief area of time (7 to fifteen months, relying on manufacturing quantity), and will increase revenues within the quick time period. Lastly, the answer is positioned available on the market with a gorgeous price ticket of lower than €100,000.
Spengler additionally has different fascinating information in retailer: the staff is engaged on the event of a small-format, high-temperature SLS printer for PEEK. The machine is because of be unveiled by the top of the 12 months. We sit up for listening to extra! For extra info on the DCK 01 post-processing system, click on HERE.
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*All Picture Credit: Spengler/IntegrAM