Sandvik, a provider of gas-atomized steel powders, and Additive Industries, developer of the MetalFab platform for laser powder mattress fusion, have partnered to streamline powder dealing with workflows in steel 3D printing. The collaboration introduces a direct powder filling and transport resolution utilizing the Powder Load Device (PLT), a 175-liter sealed hopper designed for integration with MetalFab programs. Clients can now order Sandvik powder pre-filled in PLTs and shipped straight from Sweden underneath inert circumstances, enabling direct loading into printers with out operator publicity.
Additive Industries’ MetalFab helps automated loading and unloading, and the PLT connects on to this setup. Sandvik will initially provide three powders via this system: Osprey 718 (a nickel-based superalloy), Osprey 316L stainless-steel, and Osprey Ti-6Al-4V-ELI (Grade 23) titanium alloy. Every PLT unit can carry as much as 600 kilograms of metal powder, relying on materials density. The containers are examined and authorized for transport by highway, rail, and sea. By eliminating handbook powder transfers and sustaining inert circumstances from atomization via printing, the system is designed to cut back contamination threat, enhance traceability, and reduce dealing with hazards.
Powder id verification is supported by sensors inside each the PLT and MetalFab system, making certain right materials loading. Storage and transport stay inert from supply to level of use. In response to Additive Industries, the PLT reduces reliance on single-use plastics whereas additionally lowering the necessity for native powder storage at manufacturing websites. By maintaining unused powder constantly sealed when not in use, operators can entry materials on demand—even throughout an energetic construct—with out reconditioning.
“Because the main developer and producer of gas-atomized steel powder for a variety of superior manufacturing applied sciences, we’re joyful to accomplice with Additive Industries to supply the market a state-of-the-art steel powder provide resolution,” stated Andrew Coleman, VP Enterprise Unit AM, Powder Options at Sandvik. “We’re dedicated to utilizing engineering and innovation to make the shift in direction of extra industrial options and the PLT is a pure addition to enabling elevated effectivity and security for our clients’ employees. We sit up for persevering with pushing the boundaries of steel powder for additive manufacturing applied sciences.”
Mark Massey, CEO of Additive Industries, added: “We recognise the essential nature of the powder feedstock in our programs, each from a top quality and security perspective, which is why the MetalFab is designed to minimise publicity of powder particles to oxygen, moisture and human contact. The PLT permits materials to be packaged and maintained in inert circumstances straight on the manufacturing supply and transported direct to web site in bulk portions, avoiding the necessity for plastic containers, the place it may be loaded straight into the MetalFab system. Additional, it ensures that powder not within the MetalFab is continually stored underneath inert circumstances when related, and will be loaded to the system at any level it’s wanted, together with whereas the system is printing.”
Additive Industries is headquartered in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, and gives modular steel 3D printing programs designed for high-throughput environments in aerospace, automotive, high-tech, and vitality sectors. Sandvik is a worldwide engineering group targeted on manufacturing, mining, and infrastructure purposes, with operations in over 150 international locations. In 2024, the corporate reported revenues of SEK 123 billion and employed roughly 41,000 folks.
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Featured photograph reveals an operator inspects superior powder dealing with tools at Sandvik’s manufacturing web site. Picture through Additive Industries.
