Fraunhofer ILT to launch new machine at formnext
New low-cost SLM machine suitable for SMEs
Metal 3D printing technology has the power to revolutionise some small businesses but the cost barrier has been too high for many to invest in the technology. At formnext powered by tct 2016, the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT) and FH Aachen - Aachen University of Applied Sciences - will showcase a Selective Laser Melting (SLM) system available for less than €30,000.
On stand E60, Hall 3.1 in Messe Frankfurt, attendees can see the new machine developed in partnership with the GoetheLab - set up by Aachen University in order to assist in additive manufacturing projects.
The powder bed fusion-based technology uses a 140 W diode laser to make parts 90 mm high and 80 mm wide. Although that is not the biggest of build areas, thanks to a focus diameter of 250 microns it is ideal for fine detailed applications like dental, jewellery or high-precision mechanics, like those gears Alex Berry of Sutrue discussed at TCT Show.
Exposure process in the low-cost SLM system.
Exposure process in the low-cost SLM system.
According to Dawid Ziebura, Project Engineer at Fraunhofer ILT an equivalent SLM System would cost at least €100,000 making this Fraunhofer machine, with its relatively small footprint of 1.3 mm x 0.8 mm x 1.4 mm, a magnitude more affordable for its target market of SMEs.
As well as price, an important factor to lowering thew barrier of entry for metal 3D printing is ease of use and Ziebura and team have made the system functional to a beginner with just a couple of hours training. The user can determine how fast and at what quality the machine operates as well as determining the fill-density of parts.
The team are working on optimising exposure strategies, improving the speed and increasing the range of printable materials - aluminium alloys and stainless steel being the first powders under the microscope. All the parts in the machine are easily replaceable making the machine fully self-serviceable.
