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Metal Additive Printer Handles Crack-Prone Materials

A digitaleng.news - Editor’s Pick: Metal Additive Printer Handles Crack-Prone Materials -Posted by: Anthony J. Lockwood - May 16, 2018


GE Additive recently took the wraps off its new-generation EBM system for metal additive manufacturing, the Arcam EBM Spectra H. Essentially, this high-volume industrial machine is the company’s all-new metal manufacturing technology platform. It’ll be shipping later this year. Still, this unit has many new and improved features that make it noteworthy right now.

So, what’s in it for you? Perhaps foremost, the Arcam EBM Spectra H is designed to enable you to work with high heat and crack-prone materials like titanium aluminide and nickel Alloy 718 at temperatures exceeding 1000°C. This capability could expand your production horizon to include more high-temperature, anti-corrosive components. Aside: The company plans on rolling out additional high-heat materials.

At a Glance: Arcam EBM Spectra H

Electron beam melting metal additive manufacturing system handles high-heat and crack-prone materials.
Incorporates automatic calibration technology; dust-tight environment throughout process.
6kW beam; movable heat shield; automated sieve and hopper filling station.
9.84×16.9-in. (250×430 mm) build volume; automated powder recovery.
Produces repeatable and reliable parts out of titanium aluminide and nickel Alloy 718.

But efficiency is also a big focus here, and it comes in a variety of forms. For one, build speed is up to 50% faster compared with current EBM machines. Reasons for this include a 6kW beam that reduces all pre- and post-heating steps, an improved layering procedure that reduces heating times as well as a movable heat shield that keeps heat in the build area.

Speaking of the latter, the Arcam EBM Spectra H delivers a 9.84×16.9-in. (250×430 mm) build volume. That’s about 39% larger than current EBM machines. It’s also a dust-tight production environment throughout the process. This helps maintain powder batch integrity while it protects the operator from the powder.

Two, there is lots of automation. For example, automated calibration technology improves the beam position and focus accuracy, which eliminates manual calibration processes. The system features an automated, self-dosing sieve and hopper filling station processes, automatic powder hoppers and automated powder recovery among others.