Post-Processing
As additive manufacturing technologies experience greater use for batch, serial and mass part production, post-processing becomes increasingly relevant. Our main focus at VoxelMatters is on digital additive mass production – a market described by the acronym AMP – so the need to produce fully finished parts and the enabling technologies to achieve this via AM have always represented a key area of interest.
One of the biggest hurdles to the greater adoption of AM in production was always a tendency to underestimate the impact of cost-effectively post-processing large series of prints. On unique, ultra-high-value parts such as prototypes and tools, post-processing is a relatively minor concern. But the challenges grow exponentially when it comes to post-process tens, hundreds and even thousands of parts in a few days.
Producing fully finished parts presents significant challenges in the polymer AM market and it presents even bigger challenges in metal AM and ceramics AM. So much so that even metal PBF technologies, where part sintering/fusion takes place during the printing process, resulted more time-consuming in terms of their post-processing phase than binder jetting technologies, where debinding, infiltrations and sintering are all carried out as additional post-processes.
The segment for AM post-processes differs for each major technology but can be generally intended as including these main areas: Powder Removal and Sieving systems, Debinding and Sintering systems, Material and Parts Handling systems, Measurement and Inspection systems, Support Removal systems, and Thermal Treatment/UV Curing systems. Automated quality control systems, as well as sorting and packaging systems are also increasingly relevant elements of post-processing in fully automated workflows targeting additive mass production.
Today there is a much greater awareness of the various post processes that are required in all AM technologies, both through operators such as AM Solutions, PostProcess Technologies, AMT, Solukon and D-Lyte (among others) that focus specifically on automating AM and several other companies specializing in automated post-process solutions for injection molding and other traditional technologies now looking more closely at the AM market.
In this month’s VM Focus, we will highlight many of these companies and their capabilities. For a complete list of companies specializing in the various phases of pre- and post-processing AM solutions, visit the VoxelMatters Directory dedicated section on Automation and Post Process companies here.
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Babcock pairs Plastometrex’s PIP testing with 3D printing
Babcock International Group (Babcock), the defense company and trusted partner of the British Army & UK MOD, is overcoming the long-standing industry challenge of part obsolescence with the help of…
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Solukon delivers SFP770 post-processing system to BMW Group
Solukon, the AM post-processing company, has delivered its SFP770 combined unpacking and cleaning station for plastic parts to the German automotive manufacturer, the BMW Group. The Group has integrated the…
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Shapeways extends partnership with AM Solutions
At Formnext 2023, AM Solutions signed an agreement with Shapeways that will see the leading digital manufacturing and 3D printing company join its C2 Liquid Color Smoothing technology Beta Partner Program.…
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Formlabs’ Fuse Blast automates SLS post-processing
Formlabs unveiled its Fuse Blast system at Formnext 2023 this week. The new product is an automated part cleaning and polishing solution for selective laser sintering (SLS), which enables users…
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Theta Technologies’ RD1-TT brings innovations in additive manufacturing NDT
The transformative power of additive manufacturing (AM) is undeniable. But as its influence grows, so does the imperative for ensuring the utmost quality and integrity of its components. Theta Technologies…
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ORNL researchers use neutrons to detect stress in WAAM 3D printed parts
Using neutrons to see the additive manufacturing process at the atomic level, ORNL (Oak Ridge National Laboratory) scientists have used the OpeN-AM platform to show that they can measure strain…
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DyeMansion sells 1000th machine – to ZEISS Vision Care
DyeMansion, specialists in post-processing solutions for industrial plastic 3D printing, has recently announced the sale of its 1000th machine – a Powerfuse S – to ZEISS Vision Care. Founded in…