Sandvik and Additive Industries announce powder supply partnership for direct filling of Powder Load Tool (PLT)
We’re excited to announce our partnership with Additive Industries enabling MetalFab™ users to access a range of Osprey® metal powders supplied in the Powder Load Tool (PLT).
Sandvik and Additive Industries in partnership are excited to announce that the MetalFab™ Powder Load Tool (PLT) is now available for direct filling and transportation for all customers and users of Additive Industries’ MetalFab™ additive manufacturing systems. As a leader in high productivity, automated laser bed fusion machines, Additive Industries have developed a unique product range with its MetalFab™ technology which the PLT compliments.
Sandvik is a leading producer of high-quality gas atomized metal powder for the metal additive manufacturing industry. Initially supplying Osprey® 718 nickel-based superalloy (IN718), Osprey® 316L stainless steel and Osprey® Ti-6Al-4V-ELI (Grade 23) titanium alloy, Sandvik can fill the Additive Industries PLT under controlled conditions at their production site in Sweden and transport to the customer site for direct loading into MetalFab systems. This creates a complete solution for Additive Industries PLT users to ensure total control of their powder feedstock materials, maintaining high quality whilst ensuring the health and safety of system operators with no contact or exposure to metal powder at any point in the process chain. The PLTs have been thoroughly tested and approved for road, rail and sea transport and can contain up to 175L of metal powder, which depending on the density can translate into about 600kg of steel powder. The main benefits for operators of MetalFab™ systems to own and operate the PLTs are:
- Full compatibility and connection of PLT with MetalFab™ printer
- Automatic loading & unloading of MetalFab printer with powder from the PLT reducing operator workload and improving personnel safety
- Sensors within PLT and MetalFab to check correct powder is loaded into the MetalFab printer improving quality
- Inert storage and transportation conditions for metal powders from atomizer to printed part for full traceability and improved quality
- Industrial hopper volume of 175L to reduce storage and safety burden at printing sites
- Tested and approved for road, rail and sea transport reducing single-use plastic
Sandvik and Additive Industries announce powder supply partnership for direct filling of Powder Load Tool (PLT).
‘As the leading developer and manufacturer of gas-atomized metal powder for a wide range of advanced production technologies, we are happy to partner with Additive Industries to offer the market a state-of-the-art metal powder supply solution’, said Andrew Coleman, VP Business Unit AM, Powder Solutions, Sandvik. ‘We are committed to using engineering and innovation to make the shift towards more industrial solutions and the PLT is a natural addition to enabling increased efficiency and safety for our customers’ staff. We look forward to continuing pushing the boundaries of metal powder for additive manufacturing technologies.’
Osprey® metal powder laboratory facility at Sandvik.
‘We recognise the critical nature of the powder feedstock in our systems, both from a quality and safety perspective, which is why the MetalFab™ is designed to minimise exposure of powder particles to oxygen, moisture and human contact. The PLT enables material to be packaged and maintained in inert conditions directly at the production source and transported direct to site in bulk quantities, avoiding the need for plastic containers, where it can be loaded directly into the MetalFab™ system.
Further, it ensures that powder not in the MetalFab™ is constantly kept under inert conditions when connected, and can be loaded to the system at any point it is needed, including while the system is printing.’, said Mark Massey, CEO of Additive Industries. ‘We are very pleased to announce Sandvik as our approved powder supply partner filling our PLT’s and allowing MetalFab customers to improve their quality control, health and safety and factory workflow.’