Additive manufacturing — productivity without compromise at EMO Hannover 2019

October 17, 2019 2:42 pm

Global engineering technologies company Renishaw showcased its leading Additive Manufacturing (AM) hardware and software. The company has got its range of products for high-quality, productive AM technologies including its latest system; the four-laser RenAM 500Q, at EMO Hannover 2019, in Germany featuring four 500 W lasers, the compact machine greatly improves productivity in the most commonly used platform size whilst increasing the quality of the components being built.

The RenAM 500Q expedites the manufacturing process by almost four times broadening the market appeal of metal AM into applications which were previously uneconomic, driving the technology into new industries. By positioning the machine competitively, Renishaw has ensured that customers benefit from reduced cost per part, without compromising on the precision or quality of a standard single-laser system.

A critical technology at the heart of the RenAM 500Q is the optical system and control software. Laser beams enter the system via four channels, where they are dynamically focussed and directed into a single, thermally controlled galvanometer (‘galvo’) mounting. The galvo mounting houses four pairs of digitally controlled guided mirrors, which guide the lasers to cover the entire working area of the powder bed.

“Renishaw’s Additive Manufacturing machines and optical systems are designed, engineered and manufactured in-house, giving us exceptional control over system performance,” explained Robin Weston, Marketing Manager at Renishaw’s Additive Manufacturing Products Division. “Using an innovative design for the optical system and by incorporating digital controls and dynamic focussing, all four lasers can address the powder bed simultaneously – improving the speed, productivity and capability of the machine.”

“Additive manufacturing is a key enabler of the optical system,” continued Weston. “AM is used to build the galvanometer mounting and it allows tighter packaging of mirrors and the incorporation of internal conformal cooling channels to maintain precise thermal stability.”

Renishaw is an innovator and leader in creating stable process environments, so is well placed to manage the additional process emissions caused by multiple lasers. An inert gas recirculation system, including a cyclone pre-filter and gas intercooler, preserve filter life and provide consistent clean processing conditions throughout the duration of the build.

The new system builds on the safety and usability features of the single-laser RenAM 500M, incorporating dual SafeChange™ filters with automated changeover to minimise manual intervention.

Additional studies have shown that powder condition is maintained for maximum reuse, further reducing part costs.

Companies are already experiencing the benefits of the RenAM 500Q. Renishaw recently initiated a collaboration with Sandvik Additive Manufacturing to supply the company with the high productivity multi-laser system. This installation will complement Sandvik’s existing technologies and substantially increase the company’s printing capacity, strengthening its position in the growing AM market. The two companies also intend to collaborate in areas such as materials development, AM process technologies and post-processing.

Renishaw is also contributing its AM expertise to help a variety of businesses develop new products. For example, Mountain bike brand, Atherton Bikes is working with Renishaw to additively manufacture titanium lugs for the company’s bike frames. By using the RenAM 500Q, the company can increase production rates, quickly developing and customising parts to the requirements of the rider. Whereas traditionally a lot of tooling is required, additive manufacturing is an entirely digital process, meaning that the lugs can be modified in CAD and reproduced efficiently and to a high standard.

For further details, visit
www.renishaw.com/emo