Grenzebach’s automated depowdering solution designed for SLM Solutions’ NXG XII 600
July 4, 2023
Grenzebach Group, headquartered in Hamlar, Germany, reports that it has now shipped more than fifteen depowdering systems designed for use with SLM Solutions’ NXG XII 600 Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) Additive Manufacturing machines. Having begun development of the automated system back in March 2021, Grenzebach stated it took less than twelve months to design and manufacture a market-ready solution that enables the depowdering of parts weighing up to 2.3 tons.
SLM Solutions was looking for a partner to develop an automated depowdering solution for customers of its NXG XII 600, explains Grenzebach. Out of seventeen potential suppliers, SLM Solutions selected the Grenzebach Group.
After evaluating a concept and selecting the configuration, Grenzebach sent a prototype of the new machine to SLM Solutions in February 2022. “Since then, multiple production versions have been built and delivered to our NXG XII 600 customers in various countries. More than fifteen systems have been ordered,” stated Sebastian Feist, Product Manager Factory Integration & Periphery at SLM Solutions.
The new depowdering solution, DPS NXG, can process build cylinders weighing up to 2.3 tons. The inert gas environment enables it to depowder over a ton of powder with gravimetric flow as well as allowing for the highest possible operator safety and eliminating the need for manual intervention. The process also ensures that the powder can be fully reused.
The DPS NXG is highly automated and assists plant operators throughout the entire process of depowdering and unpacking parts. The system navigates through each process step starting with the build cylinder containing the additively manufactured parts, then continuing with the transfer of the inert powder from the cylinder to the module tank, vibration-assisted cleaning, unpacking, and the packing of the cleaned component. It ends with the cylinder ready for the next Additive Manufacturing stage.
Feist concluded by sharing his enthusiasm over the collaboration, “We will continue our cooperation with Grenzebach. We are already developing a joint, new depowdering solution for our NXG XII 600E printer. We are both striving to develop better technologies to meet the growing needs of our customers in all major industries and pave the way to series production.”
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