3D metal powder recovery system

The dust-tight, fully automated 3D-ReKlaimer metal powder recovery system recovers and reconditions used powders to exacting particle sizes – reducing waste and lowering operating costs while preventing product and plant contamination.

The system reclaims metal powders used in selective laser sintering (SLS), fused deposition modeling (FDM), and stereo-lithography (SLA) additive manufacturing (AM) systems. Available in custom configurations, it accepts bottles of used powder connected manually or via an automatic vacuum conveying system.

Screened powders ready for reuse are discharged into bottles for manual connection to 3D printers or transferred automatically by an integral pneumatic conveyor that discharges into a filter receiver/hopper.

LPW, APWORKS partner for AM metal powder portfolio

Metal powder manufacturer LPW is partnering with Airbus APWORKS to support the global requirements for high-strength aluminum with Scalmalloy, the first material developed specifically for additive manufacturing (AM). With high cooling rates and rapid solidification, Scalmalloy’s microstructure remains stable at high temperatures, offering high fatigue properties, weldability, strength, and ductility.

Industrial 3D printing market worth $5.66 billion by 2023

According to MarketsandMarkets research report, the industrial 3D printing market is estimated to grow from $1.73 billion in 2018 to $5.66 billion by 2023, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.21%. Driving factors include the evolution of 3D printing from developing prototypes to end-use parts production, ease of developing customized products, developments in existing industrial 3D printing materials market, government investments in 3D printing projects, and improvement in manufacturing efficiency.

North America held the largest share of the market in 2017, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific (APAC). The U.S. held the largest share of the North American industrial 3D printing market, followed by Canada and Mexico. The presence of major manufacturing, aerospace and defense, automotive, and healthcare industries in the U.S. continues to drive the industrial 3D printing market in North America.

Evolving needs of end-user industries and emerging application areas for 3D printed materials are expected to increase the consumption of printing materials, contributing to the market’s CAGR in the next 5 years. Restraints that curb the market are the high cost and limited availability of materials, difficulties associated with the use of 3D printing software, and lack of standard process control.

Stratasys partnering with Eckhart, spins off Vulcan lab

Stratasys’ three-year agreement with Eckhart will advance the adoption of 3D printing for factory tooling in North America. The partnership will also promote micro-sensors in 3D printed tools to begin integrating advanced diagnostics for smart factories of the future.

Eckhart’s 3D printing laboratory, in Warren, Michigan, includes printers using Stratasys’ fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing process. The lab uses Fortus 450mc, F370, and Fortus 250mc 3D printers to produce on-demand parts. Eckhart also uses Stratasys’ carbon-fiber-reinforced FDM Nylon 12 CF.

Vulcan Labs Inc., a Stratasys spin-off, is to advance the use of powder-bed fusion (PBF) additive manufacturing (AM) to meet demands of end-use production applications. Aimed at overcoming typical deficiencies of productivity, quality, and certification, the labs’ initial focus will be on metals. Vulcan Labs collaborates with application partners to advance technology accessibility and meet requirements of production-ready applications.

Boeing, Oerlikon collaborate to qualify materials, processes

Boeing and Oerlikon signed a five-year collaboration agreement to develop standard materials and processes for metal-based additive manufacturing (AM).

Data will support the qualification of AM suppliers to produce metallic components using various machines and materials. The research will initially focus on industrializing titanium powder bed fusion AM and ensuring parts meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Defense (DOD) flight requirements. The collaboration will enable both companies to meet the current challenges to qualify materials and processes for aerospace and provide a route for the adoption of AM with a qualified supply chain. www.boeing.com; www.oerlikon.com