Solukon expands SFM-AT350 weight capacity
May 28, 2024
Solukon, based in Augsburg, Germany, has announced that its SFM-AT350/-E depowdering system can now accommodate parts up to 100 kg, making it suitable for market segments such as aerospace.
With the exception of parts for the medical sector, there is a clear trend upward in the weight of medium-sized parts produced by Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) Additive Manufacturing, explains Solukon. One reason for this is that the parts are usually produced on solid build plates, sometimes with numerous complex support structures. As an immediate downstream process, depowdering capability must grow alongside with the AM process.
The SFM-AT350 was originally designed only for parts weighing up to 60 kg and was only compatible with parts measuring a maximum of 350 mm on the X-axis. In future, the SFM-AT350 is anticipated to to be able to accommodate parts with a total weight of up to 100 kg and dimensions of 400 x 400 x 400 or 500 x 280 x 400 mm. For parts with the dimensions mentioned above and weights higher than 100 kg, the SFM-AT800-S is suitable.
The increase in total permitted weight on the SFM-AT350 is achieved exclusively through an adapted arm design, which means that the chamber volume and the associated inert gas consumption remain the same. With this upgrade, Solukon has also increased the compatibility of its system.
“Many of our current and potential customers print their medium-sized parts on an M 400 from EOS or a Nikon SLM 500. The upgraded SFM-AT350 is now compatible with both of these printers and therefore covers two more key Additive Manufacturing systems in this size range,” said Andreas Hartmann, CEO/CTO.
The SPR-Pathfinder software automatically calculates an ideal motion sequence based on the part’s CAD file. The optional Digital-Factory-Tool is a sensor and interface kit that tracks all the key data on the depowdering operation and summarises it in a protocol file to enable maximum transparency.
“These smart features have also become a must in the medium-sized part segment since the parts and support structures are becoming more and more complex here too,” Hartmann added. “We are pleased that we were able to launch two sophisticated digital tools on the market so early with the DFT and SPR-Pathfinder software and have once again demonstrated our innovative strength.”
“The aim of the latest upgrade is to offer users with larger components weighing up to 100 kg a cost-optimised solution without compromising on functionality,” he continued. “No other system in this segment offers so many equipment options and functionality and closes an important gap in the growing price pressure in the service sector.”
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