Volkmann is proud to support Materials Solutions, based near Worcester in the UK, who are a Siemens business (since 2016). They utilise additive manufacturing (AM) technologies for the production of parts and tools for the aerospace, automotive and power generation industries worldwide using a variety of metal powders including Ni superalloys, Ferrous alloys and Aluminium alloys.
Materials Solutions has seen an increase in production which has led to the company’s expansion to a larger facility to accommodate additional AM machines to keep up with demand. Their new larger facility now boasts a greater selection of AM machines from various suppliers and in different sizes to increase their manufacturing flexibility. This increase in demand meant that a more efficient, reliable and versatile processes was required to help speed up the powder reclassification procedure between builds.
With some unsatisfactory powder reclassification systems trialled on site Volkmann was contacted back in early 2018 to help with an alternative solution and since then several systems have been supplied. The flexibility of the PowTReX has also enabled Materials Solutions to plan new powder handling and reclassification projects utilising Volkmann equipment which has enabled them to improve their powder reclassification process.
The PowTReX utilises a Volkmann vacuum conveyor to transfer powder from the build chamber to an ultrasonic sieve, via a dosing system which helps prevent overloading of the sieve mesh. With a sieving rate of approximately twice that to other available solutions on the market (using equivalent powder) the PowTreX is a good solution to help speed up the reclassification process.
You can find more information about solutions for “Additive Manufacturing” in our area here.