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As detailed in a earlier publish, metallic 3D printer producer Meltio launched its newest wire-laser metallic deposition (LMD) machine, the Meltio M600, at its headquarters in Linares, Spain. There, I used to be capable of get an on-the-ground take a look at the machine alongside different attendees.
The launch occasion was held on the Universidad de Jaén, not removed from the Meltio manufacturing unit. After listening to the CEO’s transient remarks, everybody dispersed into teams to study extra about Meltio and its options throughout quite a lot of Playbooks—small breakout classes centered on matters like Meltio’s use in schooling, cladding, machine outlets, and repair bureaus. I attended the latter two, the place we first discovered how Meltio’s wire-LMD know-how can assist clear up a number of ache factors in machine outlets, together with having to show down jobs for complicated elements or tough to machine supplies, and shutting down manufacturing CNC machines to finish inside jobs.
Wire is less complicated to inventory and alter out, and has the identical kind of residue as CNC, which is why Meltio’s wire-LMD know-how is a superb match for machine outlets. It additionally provides producers the choice so as to add options to present elements and use twin supplies. Furthermore, it may possibly assist them save on prices and lead occasions, plus cut back the steps within the present workflow.
As we discovered within the Playbook, technical drivers for wire-LMD functions embrace high-value or difficult-to-machine supplies, complicated geometries, and elements weighing between 1-50 kg. Examples of those functions embrace a press brake device printed on the brand new M600, which is often made out of device metal—a type of supplies that’s laborious to machine. This half initially value $11,000 to make, however Meltio did it for $200. Different M600 functions for machine device outlets embrace a die punch and a connecting rod.
Within the different Playbook I attended, we discovered that the ache factors of service bureaus embrace powder dealing with and recycling, a want to maneuver from short-run to mass manufacturing, and having to spend hundreds of thousands of {dollars} to open new companies. The M600 is a gateway to actual manufacturing, and Meltio’s know-how is an effective match for service bureaus for a number of causes, together with the truth that it prices far lower than a powder mattress fusion machine, and can be utilized for extra functions as properly. Powder additionally isn’t a consideration, which makes issues simpler. As we discovered, Meltio generally is a actual industrial alternative for service bureaus, because it’s “the proper bridge between 3D printing and conventional manufacturing.”
After my Playbooks, and a fast espresso break, I joined a gaggle to go go to the Meltio workplace and manufacturing unit, positioned subsequent door to its unique gross sales accomplice Sicnova, which distributes the corporate’s know-how within the Iberian Peninsula. The workplace aspect of the constructing consists of gross sales, advertising, engineering R&D, software program, coaching, functions, buying and high quality management, and extra. There have been additionally just a few assembly rooms, laboratories for materials testing, and 4 Robotic Cells, although solely three have been up and operating on the time. The usual mannequin of the Robotic Cell, which is designed to be used in managed industrial environments, combines a Meltio Engine DED head with an ABB or KUKA robotic arm.
We needed to signal an NDA earlier than coming into the manufacturing unit, and so weren’t allowed to take many footage inside. Along with meeting traces for the M450 and M600 printers, the manufacturing unit ground additionally had a prototyping house, a number of elements for testing functions, a lab for assembling the optics for Meltio’s printers, an digital manufacturing and meeting space for PCBs, a printer testing room, and a warehouse. A number of different machining programs have been onsite as properly, together with a wire-cutting EDM machine from GF Machining Options and an L 1600 Vertical Machining Centre, powered by Meltio, from Lagun Equipment. As for post-processing wants, Meltio and Sicnova share an area for this in one other close by constructing.
One thing I actually appreciated about Meltio’s launch occasion was a non-public press convention with Hoppe and the assembled journalists the morning after the official launch. It was a peaceful, quiet surroundings, with out plenty of different folks round, and gave us the chance to achieve readability on just a few key factors. We additionally received to take a more in-depth take a look at the printer, and Hoppe was proper there with us to reply any questions.
He informed us that Meltio started work on the printhead for the M600 three years in the past, and began creating the printer itself about two years in the past.
“It took us a yr to get to a working prototype,” he stated. “The primary product in 2019 was the M450, however there’s by no means been a giant change in our know-how, and there are solely so many issues to alter on an present platform earlier than you begin operating out of house. We wished to take advantage of the platform when it comes to what we may study from it, however then we plateaued, and something we may change wouldn’t have a big effect on the client.”
We discovered that whereas the blue lasers are positively an amazing enchancment, and are higher for many supplies, the dearth of fibers within the deposition head is definitely extra essential for printing. We additionally questioned the way it labored with the metallic melting side of the printer if the facility goes out after which comes again on once more as marketed. Hoppe defined that because the M600 prints close to web shapes, it’s not a giant concern to place sizzling metallic over the fabric that’s already been printed; it simply tapers out a little bit.
The M600 can retailer 4 supplies at one time, and it’s apparently very simple to change between them. Hoppe stated it’s just like multicolor click on pens—once you press down on the highest of the pen to pick out your subsequent shade, the present shade is routinely withdrawn, and the opposite shade comes down. With the M600, the wire is lower and pulled again by the nozzle, and the following wire you need comes out.
Meltio makes positive to provide prospects materials datasheets, a information, and a variety of warmth remedies, so those that aren’t materials specialists have a better time. Hoppe stated you just about should be an skilled in supplies should you’re making aerospace elements, however that it’s less complicated when making tooling elements.
“Typically should you use the parameters we provide, you’ll have a better time,” he stated.
However, the M600 is a “completely open machine,” so if you wish to use different parameters, you’re greater than welcome to take action.
The M600 has a panel on the backside that slides out into step, so you’ve a better time seeing inside the highest of the printer should you’re quick like me. Hoppe additionally confirmed us how simply all the pieces strikes and may be taken aside contained in the printer for upkeep functions, which provides it nice retrofitting choices.
Total, it was a very nice occasion. Primarily based on all the pieces I discovered, the M600 actually does appear to be a superb alternative for machine outlets. It positively received’t work for mass manufacturing, but it surely’s not meant to. Will probably be accessible for buy this June, and is available in quite a lot of configurations, together with Analysis and Demo, which include M600 hotwire and twin wire, and the wire drum connection. The Industrial configuration consists of hotwire, quadruple wire, wire drum connection, and nil level clamping. You possibly can take a look at extra of my footage from the occasion under:
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