The new metal powder removal system can accommodate parts that weight more than 2 tons. Two leading 3D print manufacturers have already ordered the new system. SFM-AT1500-S will be presented live for the first time at Formnext.
Solukon started back in 2015, the year it was founded, with a system designed for the largest machine on the market at the time, the Xline 2000R from Concept Laser measuring 800 x 400 x 500 mm. As early as 2020, Solukon impressively proved its depowdering expertise in the large-scale part segment again when it launched SFM-AT1000-S, a system that rapidly established itself as the market leader. The comprehensive experiences acquired since then have informed the development of an even larger system for metal parts. Solukon introduces the SFM-AT1500-S, a depowdering system that meets the growing demand for a depowdering solution in the heavy load segment at the highest level.
SFM-AT1500-S: the details
SFM-AT1500-S is currently the largest metal depowdering system from Solukon. It can accommodate parts with dimensions 600 x 600 x 1,500 mm or 820 x 820 x 1,300 mm with a maximum weight of 2,100 kg, including build plate – an immense intake weight for depowdering systems. This makes SFM-AT1500-S the ideal depowdering system for heavy-duty requirements and dimensions.
Maximum capacity, minimum footprint
Particularly where parts with enormous dimensions are produced, space in production is in high demand yet often limited. This is why the system is as compact as possible. With special drive technology, Solukon has succeeded in making the system very narrow. The structure is also arranged so flat that no platforms or stairs are necessary to load the parts. This makes the system unique in terms of its footprint and particularly safe and convenient when loading and handling large components. “The combination of compactness and maximum functionality is an absolutely unique feature of our new SFM-AT1500-S”, says CEO/CTO Andreas Hartmann from Solukon.
Adjustable vibration of massive parts: a special challenge
To make the powder flow, the massive part must be made to strongly vibrate. However, the vibrations must not be transmitted to the rest of the system, which is why Solukon developed a completely new decoupling concept. The part is made to vibrate optimally in any position, while the rest of the chamber is immune to the vibration. In addition, a newly developed, ultra-robust drive technology is used to move the parts, which can weight up to 2.1 tons.
The chamber of the new SFM-AT1500-S is made of 100% stainless steel and the rotary table has four separately controlled compressed air lines for different configurations of vibrator, knocker and blower connections.
Top Solukon quality for extraordinary requirements
Top machine quality, maximum safety with inerting for reactive materials and reliable cleaning results thanks to programmable 2-axis rotation. These quality features also apply to what is currently the largest Solukon system. Just like with SFM-AT1000-S, massive parts can be easily inserted by crane via front-top-loading.
SFM-AT1500-S is compatible with SPR-Pathfinder® software, which automatically calculates the ideal motion sequence based on the CAD file of the part. Thanks to the integrated Digital-Factory-Tool, the depowdering procedure is fully transparent to users during the entire cleaning process. “Digital features are also essential in the large-scale part segment. Smart software is the only way to depowder complex structures without human programming effort. Plus, continuous tracking is the only way to achieve real transparency,” Hartmann explains.
Prepared for automated powder extraction
When depowdering the massive parts, significant amounts of powder accrue and standard collection containers are too small. With the compatible SFM-PCU powder collection unit, the powder can be safely extracted and collected in a large container in a process monitored by sensors. Upon request, SFM-AT1500-S can be compatible with powder conveying systems of other manufacturers.
