Variable Resistance Valve Trim Achieves Lead Time Reduction Through AM: The Cool Parts Show #69
Baker Hughes is realizing shorter lead times and simplified manufacturing through powder bed fusion to produce valve trims previously assembled from many machined metal parts.
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Industrial valve components supplied by Baker Hughes include a line of variable resistance trim stacks that alleviate cavitation when installed in reciprocating valves. In the past, these parts have literally been stacks — pieces of metal drilled, stacked and brazed together to create the tortuous geometry that counters pressure drop and prevents cavitation bubbles from forming. The manufacturing process was lengthy and involved multiple steps and suppliers. By converting these parts to additive manufacturing via laser powder bed fusion instead, the company is realizing the benefits of assembly consolidation and a shorter supply chain. Now, variable resistance trim stacks can be produced almost entirely in-house, in just a couple of weeks. Each production released part now has a Golden Master Manufacturing router that contains its golden design file, build setup file, postprocessing instructions and inspection instructions so that trims can be reproduced quickly and consistently. These parts won the Production category for The Cool Parts Showcase in 2023.| This episode of The Cool Parts Show is sponsored by Carpenter Additive
The Cool Parts Show is a video series from Additive Manufacturing Media that explores the what, how and why of unusual 3D printed parts. Watch more here.
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Related Resources
- More about the finalists and winners of The Cool Parts Showcase in 2023
- Another anti-cavitation device that is now 3D printed
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