Re-use of metal powder to be focus of Renishaw presentation at AMPM event
June 2, 2017
AM test parts (Courtesy Renishaw)
Renishaw will present its latest findings in the re-use of metal powders in the Additive Manufacturing process during the AMPM 2017 conference taking place in Las Vegas, USA, June 13-15. Organised by the Metal Powders Industries Federation, AMPM 2017 is the fourth annual event on Additive Manufacturing with Powder Metallurgy and features an international conference and trade exhibition.
Lucy Grainger, Product Marketing Engineer at Renishaw, will deliver a talk in the conference’s powder recycling session on Wednesday, June 14 at 2.15PM. In her presentation, she will discuss why it is important to understand the effects of metal powder re-use in laser powder-bed fusion. Grainger will explore the process factors that can lead to changes in the powder’s chemical or physical properties, supported with experimental data from investigations using titanium alloy powder.
“In laser powder-bed fusion AM, consistent and reliable metal powder characteristics are essential,” explained Grainger. “The exact extent to which metal powder can be changed physically and chemically still needs to be defined and understood.”
Renishaw operates a growing global network of Additive Manufacturing Solutions Centres, where companies considering adopting AM as a production process can build knowledge and confidence with the technology through hands-on experience. For example, the Solutions Centre based in Staffordshire, UK is supported by a well-equipped laboratory containing a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), high resolution optical microscopy, abrasive cutters and polishing, equipment for optical and microstructural analysis, density and hardness testing systems and tensile testing systems. The facility also contains equipment for powder testing and a Renishaw Equator™ gauging system for verifying the surface flatness of build plates.
“Renishaw is committed to research and development, with historically between 14 and 18% of annual sales invested in R&D and engineering. This investment is apparent in our Additive Manufacturing development work and our fully equipped Additive Manufacturing Solution Centres,” added Grainger.
