Published 10/13/2023

Solukon’s Metal Powder Collection Unit Offers Simple, Safe Material Handling

With the SFM-PCU integrated into the additive manufacturing system, users no longer have direct contact with the powder material during depowdering — the powder remains in a closed system at all times.

Edited by: Angela Osborne

Managing Editor, Gardner Business Media

During automated depowdering in accordance with Solukon SPR technology, the powder collects in the hopper at the bottom of the Solukon SFM-AT1000-S. With the help of an integrated vacuum conveyor system, the SFM-PCU vacuums up the powder at a sensor-monitored transfer point. It then goes through a hose and is gently transported into a large container. From there, the contaminated material can be transferred through a neutral interface to a recycling station or the like, where it is made available for further printing processes.

The container is rollable and can be exchanged during the process. The filling level inside the container is scanned by a sensor and can also be checked through large inspection windows. Because of the direct digital connection to the Solukon depowdering system, users always have a real-time overview of the process status.

When the SFM-PCU is integrated into the system, users no longer have direct contact with the powder material during depowdering — the powder remains in a closed system at all times. “This makes it possible to meet the most stringent occupational health and safety requirements and achieve a new milestone on our path towards a dust-free factory,” says Benedikt Lutzenberger, head of the SFM-PCU powder collection unit project.

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Because the powder no longer has to be ejected manually, larger quantities of powder can be transported away more quickly, making the depowdering process even more efficient. Emptying and subsequently cleaning the Solukon depowdering system is also easier.

The powder collection unit is designed for a particularly high volume of powder, which makes it a well-suited peripheral for Solukon systems in both the large part segment (SFM-AT1000-S and, depending on the application, SFM-AT800-S as well) and for automated serial production. Because the container at the unit has a substantial volume of over 100 L, one peripheral unit can be coupled to up to three single-material Solukon systems.

Inside its powder collection unit, Solukon relies on a vacuum conveyor from the Swedish company Piab. The conveyor used in the SFM-PCU is highly efficient, reliable and easy to service, meeting all of Solukon’s requirements and expectations.

Learn about another Solukon postprocessing offering with its expanded compatibility of a unpacking, cleaning station for plastic parts. With adapters for EOS P 1 and P 5 series SLS manufacturing systems, the Solukon SFP770 postprocessing system can now accommodate build boxes from other leading printers, enabling Solukon to tap new markets in the area of polymer postprocessing.
Read about Solukon’s SPR-Pathfinder software for automatic depowdering. It is said 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.