Oerlikon Balzers adds two M1 Basic post processing machines from AM Solutions
March 30, 2023
Oerlikon Balzers, a technology brand of the Oerlikon Group, Pfäffikon, Schwyz, Switzerland, has purchased two M1 Basic post processing machines from AM Solutions, headquartered in Untermerzbach, Germany. The machines will be installed at Oerlikon Balzers’ laboratory in Liechtenstein.
Oerlikon Balzers is a global provider of wear-resistant coatings that are said to significantly improve the performance and service life of precision components, cutting and forming tools. The R&D department in Balzers – where thin-film coatings and future innovations are developed – has decided to equip its own laboratory with a machine for the surface treatment (before and after coating) of conventional and additively manufactured components. Balzers’ industrial PVD coatings are then applied to the components and tested on abrasion and wear in the laboratory.
Especially in R&D, tests to ensure the process reliability and robustness are required which often requires numerous tests to be carried out. Oerlikon’s production sites often have special customer requests and needs. It was therefore decided, that the R&D and Production Technologies department in Balzers also provides in-house surface finishing capabilities, such as those provided by the M1 Basic, which should help shorten project timelines
Simon Kresser, Project Engineer for mechanical pre- & post-treatment at Oerlikon, explained, “The M1 Basic is a system that offers a wide range of surface treatment options and is also absolutely flexible in use. For example, the work area can be divided into different segments so that different processes can run on the machine at the same time.”
This allows different sample parts to be processed in one step. It is also possible to process components with different abrasives. For example, the surface can first be scrubbed and smoothed during a roughening step with aggressive media and is then finished to a high gloss with a fine polishing media.
The M1 Basic is suitable for both individual parts and small batches.
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