VELO3D is launching a new version of its Sapphire industrial 3D printer. The new model can print objects with a height of up to one metre. A new record for a laser-powder-based 3D printer.
Sapphire printers have been available for some time. The current model offers a build surface with a diameter of 315 mm and height of 400 mm. This has been increased in the updated model to a height of 400 mm. The diameter remains the same.
This is a powder-based 3D printer. Such systems use powdered material as the raw material. Lasers harden this material to build up objects layer by layer. To speed up this process, the Sapphire printers are equipped with two 1 kW lasers. The printer is suitable for the alloys IN718, Ti6Al4V and Al357.
No need for supporting structures
feature of the Sapphire is also the ability to print objects with an overhang of more than 45 degrees with minimal or even no supporting structures. Such structures are usually needed to prevent overhanging components from deforming due to gravity. To put the test to the test, the company printed a section with two blades of a stator. With a traditional one, the required supporting structures make up 19% of the total weight of the final result. With the Sapphire printer, this is only 2%.
This provides significant advantages. For example, objects by interrupting supporting structures take up less space, allowing more objects to be printed in one none. Not having to print these structures saves time, which is reflected in the printing time of objects. In addition, less post-processing of components is required, which also reduces the production time.
Print quality control
With a 3D-printed object, small deviations in the printed material can cause discrepancies. Think of inconsistency in the powdered material, any air bubbles created during the printing process or other quality issues. The Sapphire printers are equipped with sensors that check each printed layer for deviations. This makes it possible to analyse the quality of printed objects layer by layer.
Does it turn out that deformation occurs during the printing process? Then VELO3D's Flow software helps address this distortion by automatically adjusting the design. In doing so, the software compensates for the distortions that occur, so that the end result better matches the CAD model.
Availability
The new Sapphire printer is expected to be commercially available by the end of 2020. The updated version is suitable for nickel-based alloys. Further information about the printer can be found on the VELO3D website.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
