WAAM3D unveils large format RoboWAAM XP at Formnext
November 20, 2024
WAAM3D, based in Milton Keynes, UK, has announced the launch of its new large format RoboWAAM XP fully integrated system at this year’s Formnext. The solution contains Cranfield University’s patented Cold-Wire Gas Metal Arc (CWGMA) process that enables superior deposition rates of up to 15 kg per hour, without compromising on the quality and precision required for high-performance materials.
RoboWAAM XP expands the size, and mass capabilities of the company’s integrated systems and works natively with alloys of iron, aluminium, nickel, and copper. It has been under development since 2018, and under industrial testing over the last two years with trusted partners in the energy, space, marine, and mining industries, reportedly with impressive results.
Capacity and flexibility
Featuring a maximum build envelope of 2 x 2 x 2 m, and a maximum payload of 2.1 tonnes, the RoboWAAM XP fully integrated system is intended for manufacturing industries that have a requirement for large-scale spare parts with a short lead time. Besides the patented CWGMA process, RoboWAAM XP ships with MIG, MAG, and CMT capabilities provided by Fronius and, due to its default 8 axes of motion, it does not compromise on the geometrical complexity that it achieves, irrespective of the size of the payload.
Boosting productivity and consistency
Cranfield University’s CWGMA process not only provides a high level of control but also enhances process efficiency by achieving higher deposition rates at the same energy input. The result is a significant boost in productivity through faster process speeds, whilst delivering in terms of quality and precision. Even with the integration of this new process into RoboWAAM XP, the user experience remains familiar, mirroring the workflow of WAAM3D’s other integrated systems and technology packs. This is due to the use of WAAM3D’s WAAMPlanner for tool path planning and process parameters allocation and WAAMCtrl for process monitoring and control, and data logging and visualisation.
New extended build platform
RoboWAAM XP features:
- 6-axis robot arm + 2-axis part rotator with robot repeatability of +-0.05mm
- A working envelope of 2 x 2 x 2 m
- Overall machine dimensions of 5.8 m (width) x 5.2 m (depth) x 4.3 m (height)
- Current, voltage, and melt pool monitoring via a vision system • WAAMPlanner and WAAMCtrl
- Optional features include a fume management system, pyrometry for maintaining temperature consistency, and laser interferometry for real-time layer height monitoring and automatic corrections of layer height errors.
Dr Jialuo Ding, CTO of WAAM3D commented, “The introduction of WAAM3D’s latest, fully-integrated RoboWAAM XP system offers users higher productivity, whilst maintaining precision and control. It is a testament to the partnership between WAAM3D and Cranfield University and our teams’ commitment to innovation and excellence in the field of Additive Manufacturing. The launch of RoboWAAM XP is a pivotal moment in the industry, as it offers a solution that meets the growing demand for higher productivity, while maintaining the stringent quality standards necessary for advanced applications.”
Stewart Williams, one of the company’s founders, Technical Director at WAAM3D and a Professor at Cranfield University, shared, “The key innovation with CWGMA is the addition of a non-energised cold wire to a conventional GMA process. Through this novel arrangement, high efficiencies can be obtained by nearly doubling the amount of material deposited for the same energy input. The addition of a non-energised wire greatly stabilises the process, making it suitable for a very broad range of materials. With the unique level of control offered by CWGMA, there are also opportunities to adapt the microstructure to attain the desired properties.”
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