Volkmann debuts closed-loop powder system for AM scale-up
Metal powder conveying equipment manufacturer Volkmann USA, Bristol, Pennsylvania, has announced a fully automated, closed-loop metal powder management system for high-volume Additive Manufacturing operations.
Intended for seamless integration with Additive Manufacturing machines from any AM manufacturer, Volkmann’s central metal powder management systems aim to provide precise control over the transfer and loading of metal powder from storage into multiple AM machines, part depowdering and cleaning, as well as the capture, sieving, and transfer of excess powder to storage or back for reprocessing.
By replacing manual operations with a scalable approach, the company intends its closed-loop systems to offer an uninterrupted flow of metal powder to hundreds of Additive Manufacturing machines simultaneously to maximise uptime and reduce the cost per part.
Running unattended 24/7 and controlled remotely, the metal powder management systems are intended to operate as a fully enclosed, sealed circuit that creates a barrier between the material and the work environment throughout every stage of the process, thereby reducing risks of metal powder contamination, nuisance dust, and worker injury.
The proprietary, closed-loop metal powder systems are suitable for tungsten, cobalt, silver powder, iron, stainless steel, alumina, nickel chrome, copper, titanium, and other metallic powders. They may be customised with inline vacuum drying, buffer storage, and other accessories. Inert gas systems are also available.
Volkmann is at Formnext, Hall 11.1, booth E49.
www.volkmannusa.com
