Global engineering technologies company Renishaw unveiled TEMPUS technology and RenAM Ultra metal AM system at Formnext 2023.
Engineered to heighten productivity in additive manufacturing (AM) systems without compromising part quality, this technology introduces a novel scanning algorithm to Renishaw’s RenAM 500 series. Enabling laser operation during recoater motion, it promises substantial time and cost savings, potentially cutting build times by up to 50% across the entire cycle.
“Reducing cost per part is critical to the wider adoption AM technology,” said Louise Callanan, Director of Additive Manufacturing at Renishaw. “The dominant contributing factor to part cost for most components today is the time spent building the part on the machine itself. Reducing the amount of machine time per part therefore results in more cost-effective production.”
Renishaw has expanded its RenAM 500 series with the RenAM 500 Ultra.
Introducing TEMPUS: A Revolution in Laser Technology
TEMPUS is an innovative technology that is transforming the additive manufacturing industry. It streamlines the laser firing process, allowing it to occur in unison with recoater movement. This streamlined process shaves up to nine seconds off of each layer, drastically increasing efficiency while maintaining high-quality output. The advance tracking abilities of the lasers enable them to seamlessly melt powder, minimizing any wasted time.
This technology is not only efficient, but intelligent as well. TEMPUS utilizes advanced scanning algorithms to sequence layer data, maximizing productivity without sacrificing the superior quality of the parts. Depending on the complexity and geometry of the parts, productivity gains may vary. However, even with these variances, TEMPUS has shown to significantly boost efficiency across all shapes, especially parts with thin, vertical aspects.
In a testament to its cutting-edge nature, TEMPUS has been integrated as a standard feature in the new RenAM Ultra metal AM systems. Depending on the specific requirements of the operation, TEMPUS technology can come in either quad or single laser configurations. Owners of Renishaw’s RenAM 500 series can also upgrade their systems to incorporate TEMPUS, thereby enhancing their productivity. According to Renishaw’s research, the beneficial impact of retrofitting TEMPUS to existing systems is equivalent to adding an additional laser, thereby maximizing the return on investment of the machine.
“That’s why TEMPUS technology™ is such a significant stride forward,” Callanan expounded. “Ordinarily, the laser would shut down while the recoater progresses. With the laser active even as the recoater is in motion, there is a minimal laser downtime per build. The reduction in time and expense offered by TEMPUS could pave the way for large-scale manufacturing applications that were once deemed unfeasible for such technology.”
In a one-of-a-kind alliance with metal component specialist Alloyed, Renishaw has also broadened the application of TEMPUS technology in the consumer electronics and computing sectors since 2021.
Elevating Efficiency with RenAM 500 Ultra
Renishaw is augmenting its RenAM 500 series with the introduction of the RenAM 500 Ultra AM system at Formnext. Maintaining the benefits of the series, this system encapsulates cutting-edge design with the recently incorporated TEMPUS technology and advanced process tracking software, boosting productivity. The software furnishes extensive insights, allowing users real-time visibility during the build period. This comprehensive system, empowering metal additive manufacturing users to hasten part production efficiently, symbolises a significant progression in the domain.
The newest member of the RenAM 500 family is the RenAM 500 Ultra metal AM system. It joins the Flex system, specifically designed for R&D work, and the top-of-the-line closed-loop powder recirculation model built for series production. Within this 500 family, both the 500S and 500Q models provide the versatility of employing one or four powerful lasers, which can simultaneously cover the whole powder bed. Both the RenAM 500Q Ultra and RenAM 500S Ultra variants are available for orders as of now.
“The RenAM 500 Ultra system generates the same high-quality parts you’d anticipate from the remainder of the RenAM 500 series, except at double the speed,” said Callanan. “We’re thrilled to release this new model, as we believe the increased productivity and reduced cost per part will contribute to broader industry uptake of AM.”
<strong significant strides in metal 3D printing
The Chinese 3D printing company Eplus3D has unveiled the EP-M1550, which is the largest Metal Powder Bed Fusion (MPBF) system. This unit is equipped with an impressive 16-laser setup tailored to manage large build platforms, enabling the cost-effective creation of substantial parts. The design, which can be expanded to include 25 lasers, uses a 4×4 laser and galvanometer matrix to ensure synchronous operations and an impressive build rate of up to 650 cm³/h. Given its focus on large-scale production, it offers a generous build volume of 1558 x 1558 x 1200 mm, expandable to a height of 2000 mm, and supports a variety of materials suitable for use in the aerospace industry.
Farsoon Technologies unveiled its FS1521M Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) 3D printer series with 16 fiber lasers. Featuring a 1530mm build chamber diameter and 850mm Z-axis height, the FS1521M ensures substantial capabilities. Its variant, FS1521M-U, offers an increased Z-axis height of 1650mm. Both models boast 16 500-watt fiber lasers, enhancing productivity for large-scale 3D printing. Revealed at TCT Asia 2023, Farsoon positions its metal 3D printers as promising solutions for industries like oil & gas and aerospace, showcasing advanced technology.
Read all the 3D Printing Industry coverage from Formnext 2023.
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