Plastics News Europe - September 2019 - 30

additive manufacturing

➡ Continued from page 29
because powder-bed processes -
which require significant powder
handling and removal post build -
also invariably require infiltration operations, as well as finishing processes, particularly if aesthetics are
important alongside the strength
advantages that laser sintering offers. If coloured parts are required,
then this is also applied at the finishing stages of post-processing.
With filament thermoplastic material processes, the very nature of
the AM process, no matter how refined, results in a stepping effect.
The traditional post-processing steps
required to eliminate these process-specific results are considerable,
costly, and time consuming. However, an automated post-processing
solution for smoothing high volumes
of thermoplastic polymer parts to an
injection moulded surface quality
would remove one of the biggest
hurdles to the serial production process chain.
The PostPro3D range of hardware
developed and commercialised by
Additive Manufacturing Technologies, which integrates new systems,
software and virtual services, is an example of the way the industry is responding to this issue.
In this system, simplicity is the
key. Post-build, the 3D printed parts
can be removed from the machine,
loaded onto a rack, and placed into
the
PostPro3D
post-processing
chamber. The user then selects the
appropriate program and the process starts and runs for 90-120 minutes, after which the parts can be
removed, inspected, and are fit for
purpose.
During those 90 to 120 minutes,
the parts are subject to a physiochem-

The PostPro3D machine from Additive Manufacturing Technologies

ical process that involves converting a
proprietary but wholly safe solvent
into vapour under precisely controlled
vacuum and temperature conditions.
In turn, this precisely refines the surface of each part to ensure a perfectly
smooth finish, equivalent to that of
an injection moulded part. Moreover,
the process also seals and strengthens parts, essentially improving their
mechanical properties - such as elongation at break - compared with how
the parts were when they came out
of the 3D printer.
The PostPro3D systems have
been designed to be connected
through an IIoT network, where
data is analysed in real-time. This allows for new insights on process
performance, which can subsequently be shared amongst the
global fleet of PostPro3D machines
and made available via software

EOS PA2200 material smoothed and coloured in one step. Engineering valve application,
where sealed surfaces are critical to prevent fluid ingress

updates to continually upgrade performance, all while protecting individual IP. Moreover, this connectivity
capability also allows for integration
with other intelligent devices and
workflow automation software
across the production process chain.
In short, there is a continued need
to work towards developing whole
process chains that will help to
convince AM users, and potential AM
users, that the transition to AM for an
increasing number of production applications is worthwhile and not nearly as complex as it may have been,
even a few years ago. This demands a
unified approach - across the AM
sector itself - to develop more capable and connected systems, while
simplifying the overall process to provide economically viable, automated
solutions. This can be achieved
through partnerships and collaboration. Additive Manufacturing Technologies, for example, is proactive in
this area working in partnership with
Mitsubishi Electric with its current
commercial activities, and other companies about which more will be revealed in the future as new solutions
are commercialised.
Automated turnkey hardware for
post-processing is certainly a huge
step forward for the post-processing
stage of the production process chain
with AM. However, there are still
more steps to take, in terms of wholly
connected, customised, end-to-end
digital manufacturing systems. That is
the area in which AMT is operating in
order to bring practical industrial
solutions to OEMs using AM as a production technology.
Joseph Crabtree is the founder
and CEO of Additive Manufacturing Technologies.

september 2019

Plastics News Europe - September 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Plastics News Europe - September 2019