Adira
Adira TLM solution
This Tiles Laser Melting (TLM) technology divides the existing work area in smaller segments or tiles
A Portuguese manufacturer of sheet metal machinery has developed machine tools for large metal additive manufacturing components.
It represents Adira’s most ambitious project to date after manufacturing machine tools for more than 60 years and using laser technology for nearly 20 years. Their laser cutting machinery already optimises 2D technology, the base for AM being construction in 2D layers, and they hope their experience ensures they have a competitive advantage to manufacture machines for large metallic parts.
Adira’s new machine tools are based on both powder bed fusion (PBF) and directed energy deposition (DED) technology.
For the PBF process, Adira has developed a completely disruptive concept, making them a pioneer in the manufacturing of large parts with this technology. Breaking the dimensional process, the components created were not previously accessible to this technology. This makes way for large-series production with the flexibility that this process provides.
The need to maintain ideal process conditions led to the creation of a new processing method, which is both sequential and segmented, allowing parts with bigger volume than the process chamber to be created. This way, adequate atmospheric process conditions are maintained solely for the working volume, allowing an expansion of the available workspace, without compromising system functionality.
This Tiles Laser Melting (TLM) technology divides the existing work area in smaller segments or tiles, which are processed sequentially and can provide either a single large part or several small ones.
Meanwhile, the OptiFocus 3D Scanning capability combines the laser scanner motion with a defocusing capability makes way for the establishment of different scanning strategies for complex contour shapes and faster processing of filler sections, enhancing productivity and increasing processing speed.
By doing this, Adira has responded to some of the current challenges in the industry and are opening new ways to increase the build rate for powder bed-based technology.
Regarding the DED process, Adira has developed a system which allows the user to easily switch between a subtractive approach and additive technology. The user can do this by simply exchanging the process nozzle attached to the processing head. This combination is made possible by a highly configurable worktable, which may be adapted to different work conditions and desired production parts.
Following a modular approach, the dual-hopper independent feeding system may be loaded with different powder materials and configured through the machine command. The user is then able to select whichever material is most suitable for the final application.
Adira has combined both laser-based AM technologies in a conceptual machine with its proven laser-cutting capability, creating a three-way system which promotes both versatility and flexibility.
The Portuguese company has become the first manufacturer to develop a system for producing metallic parts through the combination of unprecedented use of additive manufacturing technologies.
