Solukon’s SPR-Pathfinder Software for Automatic Depowdering

Solukon’s SPR-Pathfinder depowdering software enables automatic depowdering, making the digital twin of a part usable in postprocessing in the production process for the first time.

To remove excess powder from complex internal structures, SPR-Pathfinder uses the build job’s CAD file to calculate the ideal motion sequence in the Solukon system. The software calculations are based on a flow simulation that analyzes the part’s digital twin. The individually-calculated motion sequence is then read by the Solukon system, which in turn runs the programmed paths. This is said to ensure that even the most complex parts are cleaned — in record time and without any human programming effort.

“In contrast to conventional manufacturing processes, 3D printing uses the part’s digital twin. To date, however, this was only utilized during the printing itself,” says Andreas Hartmann, Solukon CEO/CTO. “ With SPR- Pathfinder, the part's digital twin can now also be used during depowdering. This is how we ensure that the potential of the digital twin can be used to the fullest in postprocessing as well.”

In 2018, the software developed by Siemens Technology in a joint project with Solukon was unveiled publicly for the first time under the name SiDAM. The software was the brainchild of Dr. Christoph Kiener, principal key expert on Functional Design for Manufacturing at Siemens Technology.

“Vibration-excited powder behaves almost like a fluid when it flows out. That’s how we quickly realized that we could find success by using path identification as well as particle and flow simulation in the software,” Kiener says. In 2019, Solukon and Siemens received the TCT Postprocessing Award for their use of the software in a Solukon SFM-AT800-S.

Until recently, the software prototype was only available to a select number of Siemens’ and Solukon’s development partners. Now, Solukon has acquired exclusive rights to the software, developed it into a Solukon product and is bringing it to the AM market under the new name, SPR-Pathfinder, enabling Solukon customers to purchase licenses for the first time.

“It's a logical step for us to license the depowdering software exclusively to Solukon, thereby enabling the pioneer in industrial depowdering to offer the market an even more effective product,” says Dr. Georg Bodammer, senior venture director at Siemens Technology Accelerator. “This way, customers can get everything from a single source: the market-leading depowdering system and the exclusive, intelligent software.”

In naming the software, Solukon deliberately drew on the established depowdering technology Smart Powder Recuperation, also known as SPR. The SPR generally involves automated rotation on two axes as well as adjustable vibration in a safety-controlled atmosphere. The algorithm-based SPR-Pathfinder calculates the ideal motion sequence for the most complex geometries, finding the best path to enable the powder to flow out completely.

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• Learn how Launcher is utilizing a Solukon Depowdering System for postprocessing rocket parts.
• Watch this video with AM Executive Editor Stephanie Hendrixson talking about Solukon’s automated depowdering solutions at Formnext 2021.
• In this AM Radio podcast, AM Executive Editor Stephanie Hendrixson talks about the need for more automated ways to get parts from print to finish and how Solukon is helping with its postprocessing solutions.