A new approach for design and development of a metal additive manufacturing machine
Mathews, Sebastian (2017)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe201701251314
http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe201701251314
Tiivistelmä
This thesis gives a detailed design structure of a new metal additive manufacturing machine which has new processes that are in line with the latest advancement the metal additive manufacturing industry has made. The report has complete details to build the first prototype excluding electrical unit and software functions. The machine is designed exclusively for 316 L stainless steel metallic powder. The thesis briefly explains the main components of the machine that include laser, scanner head, powder feeding, powder removal, gases in the chamber, cylinders, loading and unloading of work pieces. The working of every mechanism and components is also described along with their technical specifications. The machine has 3 mains modules and 1 integrated module built.
The objective of the thesis is to build a machine that is competitively priced in the market with features that speed up the printing and handling process. The design is based on the gap existing in the present metal AM machines and the future opportunities in the market. Selection of components of the machine has been carried out with extensive research and availability in the local Finnish industry first and then extended to the European market. Design for Manufacturing and Assembly approach has been carried out during the entire design process.
The design results shows the efficient approach the machine has towards printing and powder handling process. The results are compared to 2 metal AM machines that are existing in the market. The parameters included for discussion are the building size, the laser power, the powder handling process and the loading and unloading of work specimens. The report concludes the opportunities to grown in the market and further modules that can be added to the machine for post processing applications and the flexibility of machines that can print different metallic powders.
The objective of the thesis is to build a machine that is competitively priced in the market with features that speed up the printing and handling process. The design is based on the gap existing in the present metal AM machines and the future opportunities in the market. Selection of components of the machine has been carried out with extensive research and availability in the local Finnish industry first and then extended to the European market. Design for Manufacturing and Assembly approach has been carried out during the entire design process.
The design results shows the efficient approach the machine has towards printing and powder handling process. The results are compared to 2 metal AM machines that are existing in the market. The parameters included for discussion are the building size, the laser power, the powder handling process and the loading and unloading of work specimens. The report concludes the opportunities to grown in the market and further modules that can be added to the machine for post processing applications and the flexibility of machines that can print different metallic powders.