Wall Colmonoy expands metal powder capabilities at European HQ’s R&D lab

June 18, 2020

As part of Wall Colmonoy’s R&D lab investment, it has purchased Malvern Panalytical’s Morphologi 4 to measure particle shape and size (Courtesy Wall Colmonoy Limited)

Wall Colmonoy Limited has recently invested £500,000 in the research & development laboratory at its European Headquarters, in Pontardawe, UK, as part of its plans to improve product development, technical support and advancement.

The company explains that it has developed its R&D lab into a fully comprehensive suite of analytical equipment for characterising powders; including laser diffraction, chemical analysis, dry powder and fluid rheometry, and optical and electron microscopy. With a recent move into materials for Additive Manufacturing, where powder properties such as particle shape and size are often more critical, there was a need to expand its analytical capabilities.

“We know that particle shape directly influences Additive Manufacturing performance and our customers expect a 

high-quality product with the correct size distribution and a spherical morphology,” stated Tom Roblin, Process Engineering Manager, Wall Colmonoy Limited. “We have manual microscopy and electron microscopy, which allow us to qualitatively check the products we manufacture, but we also needed a technique that could provide quantitative data on a statistically representative sample.” 

The company has now added a Malvern Panalytical Morphologi 4 to measure particle shape and size. The Morphologi 4 is said to provide an automated optical imaging platform capable of analysing a large number of particles and image analysis capabilities that automatically quantify the shape and size distribution of those particles.

“Morphologi 4 is used to quantitatively measure the particle shape of our atomised alloy powders,” Roblin added. “By investing in this measurement equipment, we can benchmark and improve our current processes and products. It will also aid in the development of a new range of Wall Colmonoy powders for Additive Layer Manufacturing. For us, it is a valuable tool that provides clear images, quantitative analysis and consistent results.”

The Morphologi 4 reports shape information using parameters such as elongation, circularity, convexity to quantify particle irregularity, and surface roughness. Said to be more efficient than manual microscopy and electron microscopy, automated imaging provides statistics on tens of thousands of particles. It has reportedly aided in the development of a new range of Colmonoy® (nickel-base) and Wallex® (cobalt-base) powders for Additive Manufacturing. 

Wall Colmonoy states that its R&Dlaboratory is home to further metal powder analytical equipment including a full SEM / EDS suite, ICP Spectrometer and the Malvern Panalytical Morphologi 4.

www.wallcolmonoy.com

In the latest issue of Metal AM magazine

Download PDF
 

Extensive AM industry news coverage, as well as the following exclusive deep-dive articles:

  • LEAP 71: Why engineering must move beyond CAD to realise the promise of AI and Additive Manufacturing
  • Additive Manufacturing and European defence: a critical opportunity as the US and China accelerate ahead
  • A market analyst’s view: Europe’s opportunity as defence AM surges in the US and China
  • From Fixed Processes to flight parts: How REM’s advanced surface finishing supports NASA JPL’s AM innovations
  • The future of large metal parts: WAAMathon #2 showcases developments in Wire Arc Directed Energy Deposition
  • Wire Electron Beam Directed Energy Deposition (DED): Advancing productivity and sustainability in metal AM
  • Building trust in AM: How Qualified AM GmbH is enabling regulated production at scale

TRUSTED CONTENT. TARGETED AUDIENCE

Advertise with Metal AM and access a global base of 50,000+ AM professionals.

Contact Jon Craxford: [email protected]

  • AM machines
  • Process monitoring & calibration
  • Heat treatment & sintering
  • HIP systems & services
  • Pre- & post-processing technology
  • Powders, powder production and analysis
  • Part manufacturers
  • Consulting, training & market data

Don’t miss a thing – register for our newsletter

Don't miss any new issue of Metal AM magazine, and get the latest industry news. Sign up to our twice weekly newsletter.

Register now

Join 40,000+ other AM professionals – follow us online

About Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine

Metal AM magazine, published quarterly in digital and print formats, is read by a rapidly expanding international audience.

Our audience includes component manufacturers, end-users, materials and equipment suppliers, analysts, researchers and more.

In addition to providing extensive industry news coverage, Metal AM magazine is known for exclusive, in-depth articles and technical reports.

Our focus is the entire metal AM process from design to application.

Each issue is available as an easy-to-navigate digital edition and a high-quality print publication.

Discover our magazine archive…

The free to access Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine archive offers unparalleled insight into the world of metal Additive Manufacturing from a commercial and technological perspective through:

  • Reports on visits to leading metal AM part manufacturers and industry suppliers
  • Articles on technology and application trends
  • Information on materials developments
  • Reviews of key technical presentations from the international conference circuit
  • International industry news

All past issues are available to download as free PDFs or view in your browser.

Browse the archive

Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap