Additive Industries to integrate LPW’s powder management in its MetalFAB1 systems
July 18, 2018
Dr Phil Carroll, LPW Technology CEO, and Jan-Cees Santema, Additive Industries’ Sales Director Europe (Courtesy LPW Technology)
Additive Industries, Eindhoven, the Netherlands, has signed a commercial agreement with LPW Technology, Widnes, Cheshire, UK, to offer the powder management solutions offered by LPW as an integral part of the MetalFAB1 systems and supporting Additive World Platform. The agreement was signed during the Farnborough International Airshow, UK, July 16-22, 2018, by Dr Phil Carroll, LPW Technology CEO, and Jan-Cees Santema, Additive Industries’ Sales Director Europe.
The integration of LPW’s powder management solutions will reportedly allow Additive Industries customers to automatically load powder into MetalFAB1 systems in inert conditions and record the characteristics of the metal powders throughout their lifecycle, from manufacturing to part production. This closed loop system is thought to be key in reducing the risk of contamination and potential variations in powder performance as a result of exposure to oxygen and humidity; especially important in the series production of qualified parts.
“Viewing Additive Manufacturing from the perspective of the metal powder is what has driven the development of our PowderLife metal powder atomisation, powder transport, delivery and traceability system,” explained Dr Carroll. “Our PowderEye sensors ensure that the powder environment is closely monitored during transport and throughout the metal AM process. We are delighted that Additive Industries has chosen to adopt this approach as part of their integrated industrial Additive Manufacturing system.”
Commenting on the partnership, Daan Kersten, CEO of Additive Industries, stated, “We have been working with LPW for years and share the vision on full automation and integration. Integrating the LPW Powder Hopper solution and PowderSolve software in our MetalFAB1 systems and software allows our customers to accelerate the manufacturing of industrial quality parts and store all data in one place.”
“The integrated supply of powder combined with full traceability closes the loop to produce certified parts in regulated environments like aerospace and healthcare. Moreover, the automated and closed powder loading system cuts manual labour significantly and reduces operator exposure to powder providing a safe and healthy work environment. The long-term relationship between LPW Technology and Additive Industries has resulted into this innovative powder handling system,” he concluded.
LPW’s PowderLife solutions were reported on in further detail in the Summer 2018 edition of Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine, available to read online or download for free.
