With the continuous deepening of the application of metal additive manufacturing technology in large-sized complex components and large-scale production, the traditional powder management method has become difficult to meet the higher requirements of modern manufacturing for quality stability and production efficiency. Based on its profound insight into industry trends and technological accumulation, TSC has established a complete powder path circulation system to achieve efficient, safe and closed-loop flow of powder during the metal 3D printing process.
The TSC powder circuit circulation system encompasses two core solutions: the fully automatic powder circuit circulation system and the split powder circuit circulation system. Combined with the powder cleaning system, it forms a complete powder processing closed loop, jointly building an efficient and intelligent powder circulation system for metal 3D printing.
This system features a high degree of integration, integrating powder supply, recovery and screening. It is independent of the equipment host and connected to it through pipelines. A single device can achieve powder flow during the printing process, providing all-round support for the continuous production of large-sized equipment.
Compact structure and reasonable layout
The fully automatic powder circuit circulation system adopts a compact structure design, which can be integrated with the main equipment in terms of space, greatly reducing the space requirements for the production site, optimizing the production layout and releasing the factory space.
Functional integration and efficient supply
The system is equipped with three major functional modules: powder feeding, recovery and screening, which are specifically designed to solve the powder flow problem during the operation of large-sized metal 3D printing equipment. In addition, the system is equipped with pressure sensors, oxygen content sensors, material level sensors, valve position sensors, etc. internally to monitor the internal operation status in real time, achieving one-stop intelligent control and automated management.
It is easy to operate and reliable in operation
By configuring an intelligent operating system, in actual production, operators only need to perform simple operations to achieve the "one-click start" function. The system monitors its own and equipment operation status in real time and automatically completes powder conveying, recovery and screening.
The system can automatically convey metal powder to the main unit of the equipment, ensuring a continuous supply of powder during the printing process, effectively avoiding printing interruptions caused by insufficient powder supply, and ensuring the stability and consistency of the formed quality.
In addition, the system automatically completes the recovery of powder overflow and screening treatment, automatically removes large-sized powder, and prevents foreign objects from mixing into the metal powder. The powder that has undergone screening treatment can be supplied to the equipment again, which significantly improves the powder utilization rate and reduces the overall cost.
The system is preset with a warning material level, which can ensure that the equipment operates for more than one hour. When the remaining powder reaches the preset warning material level, it will automatically alarm and prompt. After enabling the powder replenishment function, a part of the recycling module will be independently separated for powder replenishment operations. Manual powder replenishment can be freely carried out. During this period, the continuous printing of the main unit will not be affected. After completion, simply turn off the powder replenishment function.
Safe and environmentally friendly, with wide compatibility
To ensure the safety of the entire process, all actions of Xinjinhe's fully automatic powder circuit circulation system are completed in an inert gas-protected environment. On the one hand, this can guarantee the long-term stability of powder quality to the greatest extent and prevent the oxidation and deterioration of powder from affecting the forming quality of parts. On the other hand, it effectively prevents the risk of explosion caused by dust during powder cleaning, ensuring production safety.
The system has good universality and can be adapted to multiple LiM-X series metal 3D printing devices.
The split-type powder circulation solution is compatible with all LiM-X series SLM equipment of TSC. It consists of a powder pump, a powder dropping tank, a high-efficiency screening system and connecting pipelines. Each tank is equipped with sensor detection and prompt functions.
The system features a small footprint, high flexibility, strong versatility, and high conveying efficiency, and supports one-click powder pumping operation.
The powder suction operation is carried out in an argon-protected environment, equipped with oxygen content monitoring and gas washing functions.
Human and powder isolation enhances safety and automation levels, extends the unmanned operation time of equipment, and features high work efficiency and low failure rate.
As an important component of the post-processing stage, powder cleaning is directly related to the forming quality of the product and the efficiency of powder recovery. The LiM-PCE series powder cleaning system works efficiently in coordination with the main equipment and the powder circulation system to form a professional and systematic powder processing closed loop.
The LiM-PCE800-H1600, LiM-PCE1300-H1400 and LiM-PCE400-H500 powder cleaning equipment uses servo control to achieve the self-rotation and flipping of the workpiece. The vibration system installed on the platform assists in powder cleaning, effectively removing the internal powder that is difficult for humans to reach. Equipped with an air gun assembly, it can achieve all-round cleaning of complex parts, reaching a high-quality powder cleaning effect. The cleaned powder falls into the powder bucket for collection.
For the powder cleaning treatment of large-sized equipment printed workpieces, TSC has launched the LiM-PCE1500 powder cleaning equipment, with a maximum load size of 1500mmX1500mmX1500mm and a maximum part flipping weight of 15000kg, meeting the powder cleaning requirements of most workpieces. Electric flat cars are used for loading and unloading, with precise positioning inside the equipment, making installation and fixation convenient. The X and Y axes are controlled by servo linkage to rotate the workpiece. A pneumatic vibrator is used to assist in striking and cleaning the powder. The cleaned powder automatically flows to the external transfer tank of the equipment in an argon protected environment for convenient recovery.
This powder cleaning equipment is compatible with large-sized devices such as LiM-X800/800H, LiM-X1300H, and LiM-X1500H, providing users with a comprehensive and efficient powder removal solution.
Accelerate intelligent manufacturing and boost industrial upgrading. All along, TSC has been market-oriented and committed to providing customized and systematic overall solutions for metal 3D printing to users in different industries. The coordinated operation of the powder path circulation and cleaning system not only enhances the comprehensive efficiency of the equipment and the powder utilization rate, but also brings users a safer and smarter production experience. In the future, we will continue to unleash our innovative potential, persistently promote technological iteration and product innovation, assist manufacturing enterprises in improving quality and efficiency, and jointly create an intelligent future.
