Automated Depowdering & Cleaning System (DPS)

Automated Depowdering & Cleaning System (DPS)

Materials
Automated Depowdering & Cleaning System (DPS)
Automated Depowdering & Cleaning System (DPS)

Information

The new VOLKMANN Depowdering Station automates the cleaning process of the build box and build component while ensuring the safety of the operator. The new VOLKMANN depowdering station enables the highly efficient depowdering of the build box & build component in a fully automated process. Both are loaded directly from the 3D metal printer into the depowdering station without the need for intermediate steps such as unpacking the built component. The entire cleaning process takes place within an enclosed chamber either under atmospheric conditions or inert gas. After inverting the build box complete with its printed components, they are gas jet cleaned by cleaning nozzles (compressed air or inert gas). This not only removes the surplus metal powder from the deepest crevices of the built component, but also removes the adhering powder from the build box allowing the component to be extracted. The process takes place in a hermetically sealed chamber and the extracted air is cleaned via filter, which ensures the protection of the operator from metal powder and dust. The VOLKMANN depowdering station was developed as part of the IDAM research project and has proven itself in numerous test series under production conditions.
Volkmann Inc5056Maximize costly metal powder use and avoid risks when handling metal powders while keeping the manufacturing operation running at peak efficiency with PowTReX, Volkmann’s next generation system for additive manufacturing. The PowTReX range is designed specifically to provide safe transfer, recovery and extraction and return-to-use of materials with high bulk densities at high rates. PowTReX is capable of handling metals and materials such as tungsten, cobalt, silver powder, iron, stainless steel, alumina, nickel chrome, copper, chrono K20, with bulk densities ranging from 93 to 500 lbs/ft3.  It operates at screening throughputs of above 1100 lbs/hr for stainless steel, and above 660 lbs/hr for aluminum powder. The units work in both a normal air environment and, where necessary, under inert gas with O2 levels typically between 2% and 4%. Where inert transfer is required, the system is designed in a “closed loop” so that inert gas is both contained and reused, avoiding the additional cost of large volumes of inert gas. temperature and containment.

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