Adira
Adira conceptual AM machine
Adira combines both laser-based additive manufacturing technologies in conceptual machine
Sheet metal machinery supplier, Adira has developed machine tools to produce big-sized metal Additive Manufacturing components, based on powder bed fusion (PBF) and directed energy deposition (DED) technologies.
The tools use Tiled Laser Melting and Direct Laser Processing technology for the PBF and DED process respectively. It makes Adira the first manufacturer to develop a system for the production of large metallic parts through the combination of unprecedented additive manufacturing technologies.
Considering the PBF process, Adira has pioneered the manufacturing of large parts with this technology, developing a completely disruptive concept. Adira claim to have broken barriers for the process, making it possible to create components which so far have not been accessible to this technology, and making way for large-series production with the flexibility that this process provides.
The need to maintain ideal process conditions led to the creation of a new processing method. This process allows for the creation of parts with bigger volume than the process chamber. As a result, adequate atmospheric process conditions are maintained solely for the working volume, allowing an expansion of the available workspace, without compromising system functionality.
This Tiled Laser Melting (TLM) technology divides the existing work area in smaller segments or tiles, which are processed sequentially and provides a single large part, or several smaller ones, at the end of the process. Other features, such as the OptiFocus 3D Scanning capability, combine the laser scanner motion with a defocusing capability. This makes way for the establishment of different scanning strategies for both detailed and highly complex contour shapes or faster processing of filling stations, enhancing productivity and increasing processing speed.
Adira
Adira AM conceptual machine
Combining both laser-based additive manufacturing technologies in a conceptual machine, the resulting system increases the manufacturing potential made available by Adira to its customers.
Another feature allows for the possibility of performing a quick changeover of material for the TLM process, as the modular feeding system is detachable from the machine. This reduces the downtime of the machine, as the cleaning and preparation of the feeding device can be made in parallel, while the machine is processing.
Regarding the DED process, Adira has developed a system which enables the user to switch between a subtractive approach and additive technology with great ease. This Direct Laser Processing (DLP) process capability relies on its versatility as a disruptive feature. The end-user is thus able to choose between working on sheet metal in a subtractive way, through laser cutting, or make use of the AM laser technology for repairing, shape modification, or even 3D additive manufacturing, by simply exchanging the process nozzle attached to the processing head. This combination is made possible by a highly configurable worktable, which may be adapted to different work conditions and desired production parts.
Following a modular approach, the dual-hopper independent feeding system may be loaded with different powder materials and configured through the machine command. The end-user is free to choose whichever material may be the most suitable for the final application. Additionally, the worktable for the DLP process may be removed from the machine, allowing for an external platform preparation, while the process is underway. This parallel work method can be exploited in accordance with the user’s needs and follows Adira’s shuttle table concept from its laser-cutting technology.
Combining both laser-based additive manufacturing technologies in a conceptual machine, the resulting system increases the manufacturing potential made available by Adira to its customers.
