Apr 30, 2018 | By David
3D printing company Vader Systems, based in NY, has demonstrated three new 3D printing products at this year’s Rapid + TCT show. All the systems are based on the company’s patented Magnet-o-Jet technology, which is an advanced solution for liquid metal 3D printing that was received with enthusiasm from various investors when it debuted back in 2013. The Polaris system is a pioneering new 3D printer for metal parts, while customized Magnet-o-Jet subsystems allow the technology to be integrated with existing systems for hybrid manufacturing and other solutions. The Ares system is designed to produce Vaderite, an industry-leading metal microsphere powder.
The Polaris 3D printer is part of Vader Systems' pioneering approach to metal 3D printing that makes use of wire feedstock instead of powder, and prints by magnetically controlling liquid metal. Feeding the metal wire through a heating system, it propels this liquefied metal from a 1200°C chamber encased in an electromagnetic field, through ceramic print nozzles. The magnetic field enables it to be moved to a specific position in order to solidify in place. Parts produced are of a very high standard, with isotropic material properties.
The droplet size of the Polaris liquid metal 3D printer is 0.012 in. (300 μm) to 0.20 in. (500 μm), and it can deliver 1000 droplets per second. The machine can print up to 1lb (0.4kg) /hr, so this printer offers a significantly higher printing speed than conventional powder-based 3D printing systems. Using liquid instead of powder is also much more cost-effective, with the material being around 90 percent cheaper. The technique also cuts down on waste such that material yield is around 98 percent, and it’s easy to remove the finished item from the build plate.
The build volume of the Polaris is 12 in. x 12 in. x 12 in. (305 x 305 x 305 mm), and it can currently print with some of the most advanced aluminium alloys on the market, such as Aluminium 6061 and 7075. Another advantage of printing with wire feedstock is that it is much safer than the often hazardous metal powders, and operation costs and safety requirements will be significantly reduced. The system also has a minimal heat-affected zone, which further eases the safety requirements.
Vader Systems’ Magnet-o-Jet subsystems are designed to integrate the company’s technology into existing hybrid manufacturing systems such as CNC and machine centre equipment. These custom solutions will provide all the advantages of the innovative liquid metal AM process to manufacturers in a range of industries operating at various different scales, and are designed for ease of integration and a simplified production workflow, saving both time and money.
Vader Systems is also offering a new system for the production of metal powders. The Ares powder system uses the Magnet-o-Jet liquid metal printing technique to create metal Vaderite microspheres, which can then be used for a variety of different applications, including for use in conventional metal AM powder-based systems.
(source: Vader Systems)
The microspheres that make up the Vaderite powder material are printed with a level of sphericity that is unmatched, as well as high flowability and a very narrow particle size distribution. Printing metal powder microspheres on demand like this with the Ares system will eliminate the need to carry powder inventory, and this should make operations and logistics much easier for a wide variety of small batch applications.
Posted in 3D Printing Technology
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Just because the cup example looks a bit rough doesn't mean they aren't heading in the right direction for certain applications, they are still a young company developing a new material delivery system. The Ares powder production system alone based on their technology is a huge breakthrough for uniform powder production and can disrupt emerging powder supply chains. It will be interesting to see how things progress on the printer side in the coming years as the system becomes more refined.
mr.Ed wrote at 5/23/2018 12:00:31 PM:
take a look at their webpage, especially 'print a cup'. it looks pretty useless....
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