Solukon’s SFM-AT1500-S Depowdering System Handles Heavy-Duty Requirements and Dimensions

Solukon’s SFM-AT1500-S depowdering system is the company’s largest metal depowdering system, accommodating parts with dimensions 600 × 600 × 1,500 mm or 820 × 820 × 1300 mm with a maximum weight of 2,100 kg (including build plate).This immense intake weight for depowdering system makes it well suited for heavy-duty requirements and dimensions.

Compact Design

It was developed to meet the growing demand for a depowdering solution in the heavy-load segment, offering maximum capacity with a minimum footprint. The system is designed to be 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 distinctive 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 Andreas Hartmann, Solukon CEO/CTO.

Adjustable Vibration

To make the powder flow, massive parts 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 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, ultrarobust drive technology is used to move the parts, which can weight up to 2.1 tons.

The chamber of the 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.

Reliable Cleaning Results

The company says the machine offers machine quality and maximum safety with inerting for reactive materials and reliable cleaning results due to programmable 2-axis rotation. It offers ease of use as massive parts can be easily inserted by crane via front-top loading.

The SFM-AT1500-S is compatible with SPR-Pathfinder software, which automatically calculates the ideal motion sequence based on the CAD file of the part. Because of 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,” Hartmann explains. “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.”

Automated Powder Extraction

When depowdering massive parts, significant amounts of powder accrue and standard collection containers may be 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, the SFM-AT1500-S can be compatible with powder conveying systems of other manufacturers.