UK-based post-processing specialistAdditive Manufacturing Technologies(AMT) has partnered with Japanese electronics manufacturerMitsubishi Electricto develop a fully automated post-processing machine for 3D printed plastic parts that significantly boosts productivity.
Reportedly the first machine of its kind to be approved by safety and consulting firmUnderwriters Laboratories(UL), the set-up comprises AMT’s PostPro3D chemical vapor smoothing system and Mitsubishi’s articulated arm robots offered as a system option. According to the partners, this combination significantly increases the system’s productivity from a few parts finished per hour to hundreds.
“Up to now, finishing a 3D printed part has been an entirely manual process, which can account for 30-70 percent of the total manufacturing costs,” said Joseph Crabtree, CEO at AMT. “By using our automated solution, PostPro3D, manufacturers can cut the end price substantially, making 3D printing cost effective for higher-volume production.”
AMT’s PostPro 3D system
Founded in 2017 by Crabtree and based on technology developed at the谢菲尔德大学, AMT launched itsPostPro3D systemin 2018. The technology is apatented, fully-automated chemical vapor smoothing process for 3D printed plastic parts that can deliver cost savings to manufacturers by replacing manual post-processing steps.
The process smoothes over layer lines that are present on 3D printed parts by blasting parts suspended in a chamber with a highly-potent solvent to remove porosities and surface imperfections.
Earlier this year AMTclosed a £2.5 million funding roundwhich Crabtree stated would help the firm “unlock the full potential” of industrial 3D printing. The announcement came shortly after AMT agreed a partnership with multinational printing firmHPto provideend-to-end post-processing servicesfor its Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) printing technologies.
Automated post-processing
根据AMT的说法，它的目的是开发一台符合行业4.0标准的机器，如云连接，发送状态更新的能力，并在需要时自动订购消耗品，并提供远程诊断。公司first began its partnership with Mitsubishi Electricto speed up automated post-processing back in 2018.
“To realize our concept, we needed an automation partner that could provide the whole range of machine control systems, as well as the actual robotics,” said Crabtree. “This is fundamental to truly integrate our machine into the production line of the future as well as to benefit from a lean, single vendor distribution model.”
The PostPro3D machine developed by AMT and Mitsubishi Electric integrates the latter’s MELSEC iQ-F series compact PLC, HMIs, SCADA, and MELFA articulated arm robots as a system option. The system is also fitted with a Mitsubishi Electric power supply, low voltage switchgear, servo drives and motors which are connected to a MELSEC iQ-F Series FX5UC PLC and operator terminal, enabling the operator to set finishing parameters and monitor the process to ensure efficiency.
During post-processing, 3D printed parts are loaded in and out of the machine either manually or by using an integrated Mitsubishi MELFA RV-F series six-axis robotic arm. Then, the user can select the desired surface roughness and other additional surface qualities of the parts, before the processing data is analyzed and stored in real-time for continuous process monitoring. Parts are typically finished within a cycle time of between 90 and 120 minutes, and are then ready to use.
The machine is accredited to UL and CE standards in order to meet AMT’s intention of delivering its PostPro3D system to the US, European, and Chinese markets. AMT chose Mitsubishi Electric as its automation partner for its “one-stop-shop” automation offerings capable of ensuring component compatibility and facilitating data-sharing.
“我们认为PostPro3D将对许多制造应用，从鞋类和医疗部门到航空航天和汽车的制造应用产生重大影响，”Crabtree说。“如果没有正确的自动化专家，这将无法实现。我们很享受与三菱电机合作，开发全球首款全集成系统，以实现3D印刷零件的自动化后处理。
“Thanks to this partnership, we are able to confidently offer the machine to a global marketplace.”
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Featured image showsthe PostPro3D system. Photo via AMT.
