Making 3D Printing Processes Reliable
Several metal 3D printing processes require an inert atmosphere to prevent oxidation, contamination, or unwanted chemical reactions that can compromise the quality and performance of the printed parts. Here are some key processes that typically utilise a Jacomex inert atmosphere:
- Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) / Selective Laser Melting (SLM)
- Electron Beam Melting (EBM)
- Metal Binder Jetting
- Powder Bed Fusion Processes (including Laser and Electron Beam)
- Laser Metal Deposition (LMD) / Laser Cladding
Our offer
- A wide range of standardized and modular inert gas purifiers (CORE) supporting your projects for glovebox volumes up to 50 m3
- Custom gas purifiers for large enclosures starting at 50m3 and up
- 24/7/365 gas purification operation with redundant reactors running in parallel (option), recirculating the purified gas for low argon consumption
- Leak-tight enclosures encapsulating the 3D printing and conveying processes with no limitations on volume
- Gas and dust filtration
- Powder filtration, recovery and repackaging under inert gas
- Printed parts post processing
Metal Powders Handling, Storage And 3d Printed Parts Post Processing
Handling and storing metal powders, as well as post-processing 3D printed parts, are critical for ensuring the quality and safety of additive manufacturing processes. Here’s a comprehensive guide on these topics:
Handling
- Safety gear: our glovebox enclosures prevent your personnel from being in direct contact or inhale fine metal powders
- Ventilation: The Jacomex enclosures are constantly flushed with purified inert gas, ensuring high purity levels and avoiding accumulation of dust and fumes
- Minimize spillage: The Jacomex enclosed transfer systems use either manual or automated processes to fill metal powder containers, tanks or machines, with spillage recovery systems, while minimizing dust generation during transfers.
- Avoid contamination: Our gloveboxes are usually dedicated to one material reference, but our design emphasizes on smoothing our glovebox enclosures inner surfaces so as to minimize the surface roughness and to eliminate potential retention areas.
- Static electricity: we offer a range of antistatic measures mitigate this risk in all encountered situations, even within ATEX environments.
Storage
Container Environment & Storage: Standard metal powder containers allow for the transportation of powders while avoiding a build up of oxydation within. However, because oxygen leaks in with time, moisture and temperature level can vary, their long term storage require inert atmosphere enclosure ensuring the metal powder’s original quality and properties kept intact. The Jacomex inert atmosphere storage unit solves the issue.
Post Processing – Cleaning
Powder removal: For powder-bed fusion techniques, we offer de-powdering solutions to remove excess powders from the parts while enclosing the process in a controlled inert gas atmosphere. The de-powdering system features versatile powder removal technologies, specific ventilation and powder recovery systems that minimize dust, collects and redirect the excess powders to either a storage unit or back to the 3D printing powder filling.
Labelling and Documentation
- Labelling: To ensure proper traceability and usage, Jacomex integrates labelling devices within our containment enclosures that can also be synchronized with our inert atmosphere data recording.
- Record keeping: All our gloveboxes and enclosures record the inert atmosphere’s critical characteristics for a period of 2 months. In addition, where Jacomex integrates 3rd party processes, the data can be recorded within a single report, thus simplifying our customers quality control and potential root cause analyses
Additive Manufacturing Glove Boxes
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Discover some projects in the Additive Manufacturing industry
Controlled Atmosphere Enclosure for Additive Manufacturing
Controlled atmosphere enclosure for additive manufacturing and welding activities on materials requiring inerting, such as titanium, for the project FAHRA. System for controlling the inert atmosphere for TIG welding, with sealed feedthroughs for operating the welding torch.
Solution:
