Toolcraft purchases three Trumpf metal AM systems
October 27, 2019
Toolcraft, Georgensgmünd, Germany, has invested in three metal Additive Manufacturing systems from Trumpf, Ditzingen, Germany, to expand its AM capabilities. The three systems include the TruPrint 1000 with TruDisk 1020, TruPrint 5000 and TruLaser Cell 3000.
The TruPrint 1000 incorporates TruDisk 1020, a green disk laser for processing pure copper and copper alloys. When compared to IR lasers, which have a wavelength of 1030 nm, the green laser has a wavelength of 515 nm, and is thus highly capable of processing precious metals, copper and copper alloys. Toolcraft is currently using the system to additively manufacture parts in CuCr1Zr, and reported that the electrical conductivity and induction performance of the AM components are comparable to those of conventionally manufactured parts.
The TruPrint 5000, a multi-laser AM machine with a heated build plate designed for the production of high-end precision parts, works with three 500 W fibre lasers and has a build area of 300 mm in diameter and 400 mm in height. The machine’s multiple lasers are able to scan the entire build area simultaneously, meaning that the lasers can be flexibly allocated, the build rates are high and components reportedly have an optimal surface quality without seam marks.
The TruLaser Cell 3000 Laser Metal Deposition (LMD) system offers high build rates and incorporates an integrated line scanner and EHLA-enabled rotary axis. Fraunhofer ILT and RWTH Aachen University
developed the Extreme High-speed Laser Additive (EHLA) method the machine uses, said to be an economical and resource-efficient process.
Christoph Hauck, Managing Director of Toolfcraft, stated, “With this investment, toolcraft has the future of Additive Manufacturing firmly in its sights.” As a provider of manufacturing solutions for a wide number of industries, Toolcraft tests and develops innovative engineering processes until they are ready to be used on production lines. The company’s solutions cover the full process chain, from the initial idea to manufacturing, quality assurance and testing in the areas of CNC machining, metal AM, injection moulding, spark erosion and mould making.
Its clients include market leaders in the semiconductors, aerospace, medical technology, optical, special machinery manufacturing, motorsports and automotive industries. The company considers the building of close working relationships with collaborative partners such as Trumpf to be an important part of its strategy.
