EPA expands AM cut-off solutions with Klaeger Bitron K6
EDM Performance Accessories (EPA), based in Brea, California, USA, has expanded its Additive Manufacturing post-processing portfolio with the addition of the Klaeger Bitron K6 3D-Cut, reportedly the first band saw engineered specifically for large-format AM cut-off.
For many Additive Manufacturing users, wire electrical discharge manufacturing (EDM) has long been the preferred solution for removing parts from build plates, particularly when accuracy and material integrity are critical. However, as build sizes grow and production volumes increase, EDM users may seek faster, more scalable cut-off solutions for large plates and thick sections.
Rather than adapting a conventional material saw, the Bitron K6 was designed specifically around the challenges EPA has identified in Additive Manufacturing cut-off applications: variable cross sections, extreme alloys, long unattended cuts, and build plates up to 600 × 600 mm. The result is a dedicated AM cut-off system that is designed to complement EDM technology rather than replace it.
Developed in collaboration with German sawing company Klaeger, key features of the Bitron K6 include:
- A dual-column cutting head with ballscrew feed for high rigidity
- A servo-driven precision table for accurate build plate positioning
- Adaptive head pressure control to manage changing part geometries common in AM builds
To support unattended operation, the Bitron K6 incorporates blade deflection monitoring, automatic hydraulic band tensioning, and pre-set material libraries optimised for aluminium, steel, stainless steel, titanium, and nickel-based superalloys. A fully integrated safety enclosure with radar monitoring is intended to allow safe operation without restricting access to large components.
The Klaeger Bitron K6 3D-Cut is available through EDM Performance Accessories.
