Optomec announces new LENS controlled atmosphere DED systems
March 1, 2019
The LENS CS 800 offers a 600 x 400 x 400 mm build envelope (Courtesy Optomec)
Optomec, headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has announced the release of its new LENS CS 600 and CS 800 Controlled Atmosphere (CA) Directed Energy Deposition (DED) Systems. The latest additions to the Optomec Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS) series offer controlled atmosphere chambers to allow for the processing of both non-reactive and reactive metals, as well as being compatible with the company’s latest generation deposition head providing higher power laser processing (up to 3 kW), interchangeable print nozzles, and variable spot sizes.
The LENS CS 600 and CS 800 are reported to be configurable and maximise the process build envelope with a minimal system footprint. The controlled atmosphere chamber keeps moisture and oxygen levels at less than 10 ppm and the systems comes standard with a Siemens 840D controller, allowing operation from three axis up to simultaneous five axis motion.
“These new systems come packed with next-generation DED components all born from signature Optomec know-how and built to provide affordable, high-quality metal additive manufacturing capabilities for industry’s most demanding requirements,” stated Tom Cobbs, Optomec LENS product manager. “The LENS CS 600 and CS 800 systems represent the latest in DED processing from precision deposition to cladding applications and extend our product portfolio to continue to provide high-value metal Additive Manufacturing solutions.”
Optomec LENS systems use an Additive Manufacturing technique called directed energy deposition (DED), where high-powered lasers build structures layer by layer directly from powdered metals, alloys, ceramics, or composites to produce fully-dense parts with excellent mechanical and fatigue properties.
