Material-Recycling System Cuts Processing Time By 85%
Vac-U-Max’s recovery system for additive manufacturing extracts unused metal powder from the printing bed and filters it to be reused. The closed system provides a safer work environment because the operator never comes in contact with the powder.
Posted: June 22, 2020
The additive manufacturing metal powder recovery system (AM-MPRS) from Vac-U-Max (Belleville, NJ) vacuums and filters expensive metal powders including Inconel, stainless steel, Haynes 282, cobalt chrome, and water-reactive powders for reuse. Powder recovery time is reduced by up to 85% in a continuous, dust-free process.
National Fire Prevention Association 484-compliant for handling metal powders, the AM-MPRS uses a compressed gas-powered single-venturi power unit to vacuum metal powders from the printing bed. Powder is separated from the airstream by gravity-drop and a surface filter and discharged into a surge hopper, which meters the powder onto the sieve’s screen deck. The vacuum receiver offers 36 square feet of filter area.
Larger powders and agglomerations are separated from smaller particles. Aided by an ultrasonic generator that enhances flow, the smaller particles pass through the screen and sieve outlet into the collection container and are immediately available for reuse. The sieve discharges the metal powders into a pail, drum or IBC in an inert environment. Screened powder is available for immediate reuse, blending with virgin materials, storage, or recycling.
Designed for ease of use, the closed system maximizes plant and personnel safety by eliminating operator exposure to metal dusts in 3-D printing operations.
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