Renishaw adds five new materials for its RenAM 500 metal AM machine
October 9, 2024
Renishaw, based in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, UK, has expanded the range of metals compatible with its RenAM 500 Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) Additive Manufacturing machines. The company has added five new materials, including commercially pure copper, H13 tool steel, Hastelloy X alloy, super-duplex stainless steel, and AlSi7Mg aluminium alloy.
Renishaw has also added new powder layer thicknesses to its current processable materials. These include 90 μm titanium grade 23, 70 μm stainless steel 316L and 120 μm Inconel 718 parameters that achieve exceptional material build rates.
For the first time, the material data sheets include results of Plastometrex’s proprietary PIP (Profilometry-based Indentation Plastometry) testing. By facilitating rapid, direct testing on different sections of AM parts, this method is said to provide a more precise and efficient evaluation of a part’s mechanical properties and complements Renishaw’s existing testing procedures.
“We are pleased to be adding to our portfolio of available materials to support innovative applications, and respond to the needs of our customers,” said Marc Gardon, EMEA Additive Manufacturing Applications Manager at Renishaw. “For instance, we have developed parameters for H13 tool steel, Hastelloy X alloy and super-duplex stainless steel to support customers in Spain and Portugal — SIMOLDES, ITP Aero and ADDIMEN — for applications in the tooling, aerospace and energy industries.”
The new material range will open up a number of new AM applications for users of Renishaw’s RenAM 500 series. Pure copper, with its extremely high thermal and electrical conductivity, is well-suited to consumer electronics and heat exchanger components. Aluminium AlSi7Mg is a lightweight, high-strength alloy that enables many unique applications in the aerospace and automotive industries. H13 tool steel boasts excellent thermal fatigue properties and high heat resistance to provide exceptional high-temperature performance. Hastelloy X alloy and super-duplex stainless steel share excellent corrosion resistant and high-strength characteristics that are well suited to the oil and gas and chemical process industries.
