SLM Solutions
SLM Solutions 280
CTC will create metal parts using the SLM 280HL 3D printer.
Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC), a non-profit applied scientific research and development organisation, has invested $1.2 million in new additive manufacturing equipment.
Including a VRC Metal Systems Gen III Max Cold Spray system and an AMBIT Hybrid Additive Manufacturing multi-task system, the equipment will be housed at its facility in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The investment was made to advance CTC’s additive capabilities. Now, the 30-year-old organisation is able to offer its clients three metal processes: cold spray, hybrid additive manufacturing, and powder bed fusion-laser, which can also be merged to provide customised solutions.
“We are applying our 30-year history in metals and metal processing to be an all-encompassing service provider for additive manufacturing solutions,” said Edward J. Sheehan Jr, CTC President and Chief Executive Officer. “Additive manufacturing is growing exponentially in the US., and we have the in-house expertise to continue to deliver outstanding metal-based solutions in this emerging arena. This purchase follows a previous $800,000 investment in additive manufacturing equipment.”
Cold spray additive manufacturing is a solid-state process whereby metal powder at a temperature below the material melting point is deposited through a supersonic nozzle and pressurised, heated inert gas. CTC envisage using the VRC Metal Systems Gen III Max and its cold spray technology to repair extensive components on structures such as military aircraft, vehicles and submarines, that would otherwise be scrapped.
“Ageing military parts that are worn or damaged can be repaired or replaced in an affordable, effective manner using additive manufacturing,” said Ken Sabo, Senior Director, Additive Manufacturing and Materials at CTC. “CTC designed many parts for the U.S. military over the past three decades, so we are well positioned to assist our military clients with new and used parts.
“The Gen III Max consumes a small three-foot by five-foot area and is on wheels, enabling versatility and easy mobility for production, repair, or in-the-field applications. It can be manually or robotically operated, making it the system of choice for many repair and obsolescence applications.”
Meanwhile, the AMBIT multi-task system, allows CTC to repair damaged or worn parts and surfaces, using hybrid additive manufacturing technology. Paired with a HAAS VF-11 five-axis milling machine, the working envelope of the system is 120” x 40” x 30”, enabling large part repair and feature addition. CTC will employ a cladding process with the hybrid machine, and build new geometry, before switching to the milling machine to finish the part.
After an extensive research process, and with more than two years’ experience with powder bed fusion-laser platforms, CTC also purchased an all-in-one SLM 280HL 3D printer. CTC will leverage this technology to create metal parts using materials such as aluminium, titanium, and stainless steel, among others.
