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First unveiled in 2020, the VX1000 HSS platform by voxeljet set a brand new commonplace in polymer AM, providing steady, high-precision manufacturing on a big scale. Now, 5 years later, the machine nonetheless stands on the forefront of powder-based sintering applied sciences and, frankly, it’s not likely a shock why.
The VX1000 HSS is predicated on voxeljet’s Excessive Velocity Sintering (HSS) course of, an inkjet powder mattress printing expertise that selectively deposits an energy-absorbing ink onto layers of polymer energy after which fuses the layers utilizing infrared radiation. This method has a number of advantages in comparison with typical selective laser sintering (SLS), together with considerably quicker printing charges, because it doesn’t use a laser to selectively sinter and as a substitute irradiates your complete powder layer without delay, after the inkjet print heads have carried out their work.
Velocity and scale
The VX1000 HSS delivers voxeljet’s HSS expertise on a big scale with a construct quantity of 1000 x 540 x 200 mm. This scale, one of many largest of its form out there, permits customers to both manufacture massive volumes of small polymer elements or create massive particular person elements. Furthermore, as a result of HSS makes use of an inkjet-based printhead, packing density doesn’t affect layer print occasions—a key scalability bottleneck for SLS platforms. Typically talking, the 3D printer can attain printing charges of as much as 6,500 cm³/h.
3D printed impeller, showcasing HSS (left) vs SLS (proper)
The system’s inkjet printhead is central to this functionality. Consisting of a bidirectional printhead with round 8,000 nozzles over a one-meter span, the VX1000 HSS’ printhead can deposit ink throughout the width of the construct area quickly, evenly and with a excessive degree of repeatability. The printhead integrates piezoelectric modules organized in a comb-like construction, a configuration that enables it to shift laterally by a couple of centimeters to cowl your complete construct space on the return move, additional driving effectivity.
Repeatability
Moreover pace and huge scale, a key promoting level of the VX1000 HSS is repeatability. voxeljet explains that the printer’s clever self-regulating temperature administration system performs an vital function in establishing consistency. “The system is designed to make sure uniform warmth distribution throughout your complete construct chamber,” the corporate explains. “It integrates 5 impartial heating zones, together with 54 overhead modules within the ceiling, heated facet partitions and flooring throughout the job field, temperature management within the recoater and a cooled sintering lamp that emits vitality at a focused wavelength for exact thermal enter into the inked areas.”
A lot of sensors and pyrometers embedded within the 3D printer monitor the temperature carefully and collect knowledge that may be analyzed for future course of optimization. All knowledge is saved in a SQL-based database that gives customers with full traceability for print jobs.
In sum, this technique ensures uniform warmth distribution throughout the entire construct chamber and uniform half heating, no matter whether or not customers are printing a sequence of small elements or one massive half. This temperature administration system additionally has different advantages, like maximizing powder reuse by way of the precision focused vitality of the sintering lamp.
Financial effectivity
voxeljet emphasizes that financial effectivity was additionally a central aim within the 3D printer {hardware}’s improvement. To this finish, a contactless automated cleansing system ensures that the printhead’s efficiency and lifespan is maximized, whereas the infrared lamp used to irradiate layers of powder comes with a water cooling system that minimizes upkeep necessities and related prices. The corporate says: “The mix of a big construct quantity, fixed layer occasions, and decreased upkeep necessities has a direct constructive impact on each unit prices and system availability.”
The VX1000 HSS additionally comes with an built-in powder recycling system that recouperates all of the unsintered unfastened powder within the construct envelope and permits close to full reuse of the fabric. In additional particular phrases, the 3D printer helps a recycling ratio of as much as 80/20 (used to new), which minimizes materials waste considerably and lowers materials prices.
Versatile course of management
In recognition of the various wants of various customers, voxeljet has made it doable to customise the system’s printing parameters, resembling ink utility, temperature profiles, layer thickness and powder recycling charges. The power to tailor print settings offers customers a excessive degree of management over the properties of ultimate elements (i.e. elongation at break, tensile power, floor roughness). Notably, customers can management these properties inside a single half, integrating completely different properties in several half zones for optimized efficiency and—on an effectivity degree—ink consumption.
Setting profiles may also be saved throughout the system, making it simple to implement the proper settings for a given print job and guarantee repeatability.
“The power to configure numerous print-mode-dependent parameters gives further optimization potential,” voxeljet says. “For example, rising the ink utility can enhance half power, although this may increasingly cut back ease of unpacking—and vice versa. These adjustable settings not solely improve system flexibility but in addition allow focused course of optimization tailor-made to particular functions.”
To this finish, the voxeljet HSS community offers customers entry to a community of analysis and materials companions with the intention of sharing data and selling collaboration to validate new supplies and functions in addition to to optimize the method chain. By this community, over 30 supplies have already been examined to be used on the HSS platform, together with PA 12 , PP, TPU, PEBA and EVA.
VX1000 HSS, a compelling answer
In the end, the {hardware} and software program behind the VX1000 HSS have created a system perfect for sequence manufacturing. The system, which overcomes many points related to commonplace SLS processes, has set a brand new commonplace by way of manufacturing pace, repeatability, adaptability and financial effectivity, opening up a variety of functions and around the clock productiveness for powder-based plastic AM.
