Meltio releases toolpath software and laser calibration system
November 11, 2022
Meltio, a manufacturer of metal Additive Manufacturing machines based in Linares, Spain, has released its Meltio Horizon software and a new laser calibration system designed to assist engineers in their Additive Manufacturing workflow.
Meltio Horizon is a proprietary toolpath generator software that enables a tailored customer experience around the Meltio M450 metal AM machine, with its own unique features and custom-developed build and material profiles included. The Meltio M450 uses a Laser Metal Deposition (LMD) process, a form of Directed Energy Deposition (DED), to build components from a range of wire-based feedstock and, until now, users have been reliant on third-party FFF slicers to prepare toolpaths for the machine.
In addition to traditional slicing parameters, such as layer height, line width, build speed, and support materials, Meltio Horizon provides access to material-specific parameters such as laser power, dual wire, and hot wire settings. All of the material-related settings are included in the slicing software, allowing for full control and just a single profile. This also enables users to create more specialised build profiles, with the power to directly control the laser and hot wire on a ‘per slicing feature’ basis, rather than being set for the full part.
This slicer is currently only compatible with the Meltio M450. For Meltio Engines (CNC and Robot Integration), the company is currently working on developing its open software ecosystem partnerships that allow the generation of 5 Axis G-Codes.
The new Laser Calibration System allows users to calibrate Meltio’s multi-laser deposition head accurately and easily on all three of its metal Additive Manufacturing machines. The system consists of a laser alignment camera placed under the deposition head to allow for a clear view of the focus point of the lasers. Software is specifically designed to filter the camera image and guide the user to focus each laser on the most optimal point.
Meltio’s multi-laser metal Additive Manufacturing technology is based on the use of six lasers targeting a single point to melt the wire feedstock that is fed through the centre of the deposition head. The misalignment of lasers can lead to energy inefficiency and defects on the additively manufactured parts, therefore the alignment of each laser is critical to concentrate the energy at the exact point needed.
“We have developed the Meltio Horizon software and the Laser Calibration System with the aim of facilitating the use of Meltio’s metal 3D printing technology for industries around the world,” stated Ángel Llavero, CEO of Meltio. “The Laser Calibration System will give industrial companies a new tool to be able to work with guaranteed reliability in the creation of their metal parts.”
