Jan 17, 2017 | By Tess
Metal additive manufacturing company Sintavia, LLC recently announced its new end-to-end parameters for manufacturing 3D printed parts in F357 aluminum and other AI-Si alloys. The new process, both exclusive and proprietary, was developed specifically for applications in the aerospace and automotive industries, which require high quality parts with low density, good processability, and heat conductivity.
Sintavia, a global leader in metal additive manufacturing techniques, is hoping to expand the scope of its 3D printing technologies. Evidently, they have taken another big step in achieving this goal with their new method for 3D printing F357 aluminum, a material that could offer industries stronger and more reliable 3D printed metal parts.
Currently, most aluminum alloy parts are still produced using traditional casting methods, which, while reliable, can be expensive and time consuming. With Sintavia’s exclusive new process, however, the company is hoping to offer industries an alternative manufacturing method that does not sacrifice the quality of material, in this case aluminum alloys.
Doug Hedges, Sintavia President and COO, commented: “We are seeing an increased demand for additively manufacturing Al-Si parts from both the aerospace and automotive industries. With Sintavia’s comprehensive manufacturing capabilities, we have developed processes to make F357 aluminum specimens and quickly test them to demonstrate they meet or exceed these industries’ strict validation parameters.”
As mentioned, the new process involves “end-to-end parameters” which include a pre-build material analysis, post-production heat treatment, and stress relief, on top of the additive manufacturing of the components. In fact, Sintavia’s proprietary technique has resulted in metal 3D printed parts that have exceeded original design strength by up to 125%, with net densities of close to 100%. Additionally, Sintavia has accounted for variables such as environment by testing strength validation at ambient, elevated, and subzero temperatures.
Ultimately, Sintavia’s additive manufacturing processes are being developed to offer manufacturing industries, such as aerospace and automotive, the opportunity to advance and improve supply chains and production cycle times. More than just additive manufacturing processes, however, the company has emphasized its full end-to-end services. As Sintavia says, these “[leverage] the speed benefits of AM while offering elite powder analysis, post-processing, and mechanical testing on-site.”
Posted in 3D Printing Materials
Maybe you also like:
- T-Bone Cape motion control board launches on Indiegogo
- New extruder could lower costs of 3D printing cellular structures for drug testing
- New Ninja Printer Plate for consumer 3D printing
- mUVe3D releases improved Marlin firmware for all 3D printers
- Zecotek plans HD 3D display for 3D printers
- Add a smart LCD controller to your Robo3D printer
- Maker Kase: a handy cabinet for 3D printers
- Heated bed for ABS printing with the Printrbot Simple XL
- Next gen all metal 3D printer extruder from Micron
- Pico all-metal hotend 100% funded in 48 hours, B3 announces Stretch Goal
- Create it REAL announces first 3D printing Real Time Processor
- A larger and more powerful 3D printer extruder on Kickstarter
125% as compared to what? Cast? Bar stock? aluminum foil?