AMT post-processing Innovate UK
Parts finished using the PUSh process that has now been built upon by AMT
Sheffield-based Additive Manufacturing Technologies (AMT) has been granted £624,000 by Innovate UK to develop an automated post processing machine for 3D-printed polymer parts.
AMT will be lead a consortium, made up of Xaar, the UK’s leading industrial inkjet manufacturer, and Atomjet, a designer and manufacturer of specialist technology machines, for the two-year project.
The £624,000 sum has been co-funded between Innovate UK and the three consortium members. Enabling AMT to develop the next generation of its existing patent pending PostPro3D post processing technology, the Innovate UK award has been welcomed by the company.
“The Innovate UK funding award is a significant step in the development of the proven PostPro3D technology which provides the ‘missing piece’ in the digital manufacturing chain,” said Joseph Crabtree, AMT’s CEO. “We are looking forward to working with OEM industrial partners to implement this technology into their 3D printing digital factories.”
Typically, 3D-printed parts require manual post processing to produce a higher quality surface finish. While effective in improving the aesthetics of the part, these processes add significant cost and slow down production rates, reversing some of the renowned benefits of 3D technology.
To achieve a end-use consumer worthy finish the heel was post-processed using the PUSh Process.
AMT’s PostPro3D solution allows manufacturers to seamlessly surface finish 3D-printed parts for aesthetically demanding products. This surface finishing is based on the proprietary PUSh process exclusively licensed to AMT by the University of Sheffield. The PUSh process was previously utilised in the production of a pair of Under Armour basketball trainers, providing a smoother finish to the footwear.
The next generation automated machine will achieve an industry-first by combining intelligent algorithms and automated feedback to produce a predictable and repeatable surface finish. By fully integrating PostPro3D into digital manufacturing chain, the technology will for the first time enable 3D printing to compete with and displace traditional manufacturing.
“We are delighted to join the consortium and bring our expertise to developing PostPro3D,” said Professor Neil Hopkinson, Director of 3D printing at Xaar. “We see this project, in conjunction with High Speed Sintering, as an important step in the development and commercial delivery of industrial 3D printing.”
Atomjet CEO, Rob Harvey added: “We are excited to be involved with the project to develop the PostPro3D machine. Our machine building skills are ideally suited to industrial digital manufacturing equipment.”
TCT delves even deeper into AMT’s transformative post processing technology in volume 25.1 of TCT Magazine, due to land on desks at the end of the month.
