Processing Magazine: VAC-U-MAX, GEMCO, AND VORTI-SIV COLLABORATE ON METAL POWDER RECOVERY AND RECONDITIONING SYSTEM FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
The new AM-MPRR metal powder recovery and reconditioning system extends the lifecycle of metal powders used in powder bed laser fusion and binder jet printing.
The additive manufacturing (AM) industry is expanding rapidly, but residual metal powder remains a significant issue. A collaborative effort between VAC-U-MAX (vacuum conveying systems), GEMCO (blending and drying solutions), and VORTI-SIV (sieving technology) has resulted in the AM-MPRR system for complete metal powder lifecycle management. The new system utilizes advanced vacuum technology to fully extract metal powders from the build box, sieving out foreign debris and oversized agglomerations and reconditioning the on-spec powder for future use.
The AM-MPRR system
The AM-MPRR system addresses key challenges faced by powder bed fusion and binder jet printing operations, offering a comprehensive solution that translates to:
- Reduced waste. By effectively recovering and reconditioning unused metal powder, AM-MPRR minimizes waste and maximizes material utilization.
- Cost savings. Material usage optimization and streamlined operations lead to significant cost reductions in overall printing workflows.
- Improved efficiency. The combined vacuum removal and sieving process significantly reduces downtime, resulting in faster printing cycles.
- Enhanced sustainability. AM-MPRR promotes a more sustainable AM environment by minimizing waste and optimizing material usage.
- Maintained quality. The system ensures that reconditioned powders meet the high-performance standards required for critical AM applications.
The AM-MPRR solution consists of three parts: reclaim, reclassify, and recondition.
