Subtractive manufacturing solutions AMB 2018

The company’s ProX DMP 320 will be on display, a high performance metal additive manufacturing system with a build volume of 275x275x420mm. Considered as the heavy-duty alternative to traditional metal manufacturing processes, this Direct Metal Printing (DMP) solution produces consistent, very dense metal parts with reduced waste, shorter set-up times and higher throughput.

A new innovative solution designed to facilitate the integration of additive in conventional metal manufacturing environments has been co-developed by 3D Systems and GF Machining Solutions. Premiering at IMTS 2018 in Chicago, the new product will be highlighted at AMB at the 3D Systems booth through printed parts and a video presentation. It will integrate both additive and subtractive technologies, including automation and post processing to enable more efficient production of complex metal parts with tighter tolerances.

3D Systems is also expanding the capabilities of another popular metal 3D printer, the Prox DMP 200, with new fully qualified print parameters for LaserForm 316L (B) and LaserForm Ni625 (B) materials.

LaserForm 316L (B) is an extra low carbon grade Stainless Steel 316 designed to produce parts that can be machined, spark-eroded, welded, shot-peened, polished and coated if required. This material is ideal for parts that need to be sterilised and highly corrosion resistant, such as parts for the pharmaceutical, chemical and process industries as well as for food machinery, and medical instruments or devices. LaserForm 316L (B) retains its mechanical properties at sub-zero and even cryogenic temperatures.

LaserForm Ni625 (B) is a nickel super alloy known for its combination of high strength and excellent corrosion resistance. These properties make LaserForm Ni625 (B) a suited material for industries such as chemical, marine, aerospace and nuclear reactors.

3D Systems end-to-end manufacturing solutions at AMB 2018 continue with demonstrations of the industry’s broadest portfolio of manufacturing software, newly enhanced to accelerate design and production process, increase productivity, and reduce manufacturing total cost of operation (TCO). including:

3DXpert 14: As the only all-in-one integrated software for the entire metal additive manufacturing workflow, 3DXpert covers the preparation, simulation, optimisation, and post-processing operations, streamlining the process to quickly and efficiently transition from a 3D model to successfully printed parts. This latest release puts a special focus on capabilities required to move from rapid prototypes to serial production.

GibbsCAM 13: From production milling to multi-axis applications, GibbsCAM 13 makes programming even the most complex parts fast and easy. The updated software delivers a streamlined user experience, additional milling and turning capabilities and an enhanced G-code editor, which improves the communication between software and CNC machining centres for better productivity while reducing machining time.

Cimatron 14: Cimatron’s latest release offers new and enhanced capabilities across the entire CAD/CAM for tooling workflow. Mold and die designers will benefit from benefit from an enhanced user interface resulting in faster, easier design. Through the use of barrel (segment) tools, Numerical Control (NC) programmers will be able to achieve more rapid machining.

Wayne Davey, general manager EMEA and India, 3D Systems, stated: “3D Systems is leading the transformation of metal manufacturing with end-to-end solutions that help our customers realise new production efficiencies and cost-savings while creating parts that never existed before. Our new partnership with GF Machining Solutions further advances this transformation by making it easier for manufacturers to integrate additive manufacturing into their workflows. This will not only lower additive manufacturing TCO but also enable our customers to push the boundaries of engineering innovation for automotive, aerospace, medical and other industries and applications.“

Visitors to the 3D Systems booth are invited to examine complex parts resulting from the hardware and software solutions on display as well as other 3D Systems products. One example is a liquid to air heat exchanger produced using LaserForm AISiMg (A) material. This part demonstrates the ability of additive manufacturing to consolidate several parts into one complex assembly that improves the part’s functionality while reducing weight and the chances for part failure. Another example is a wax bracket pattern for investment casting produced with 3D printing without the need for expensive, time-consuming tooling.

3D Systems products and applications for metal manufacturing will on display at AMB 2018, Hall 2, stand 2C30, 18th to 22nd September.