3D Systems, AMT Collaborate on SLS Solution for Efficient Additive Manufacturing

3D Systems and AMT are collaborating on an industrial-scale, selective laser sintering (SLS) solution for delivering repeatable end-use parts. According to the company, this next-generation SLS workflow combines 3D Systems’ new SLS 380, 3D Sprint, DuraForm materials and AMT’s PostPro to enable cost-effective batch production parts with unprecedented levels of throughput, consistency, performance and yield.

The SLS 380 is said to deliver high levels of repeatability, improved throughput and reduced operating costs for more effective, efficient digital manufacturing. The SLS printer utilizes a custom algorithm that manages eight separately calibrated heaters, together with an integrated high-resolution infrared camera that captures over 100,000 thermal data samples per second to manage, monitor and control thermal uniformity within the build chamber.

A part of this platform is 3D Systems’ material quality control (MQC) system, the MQC 600, which was developed to ensure an optimal ratio of fresh to recycled material. The MQC 600 is optimized to deliver material to up to four printers simultaneously, minimizing material waste and eliminating operator intervention.

The SLS 380 uses 3D Sprint, an advanced, single-interface software for file preparation, editing, printing and management. The company says it enables users to quickly and efficiently go from design to high quality, true-to-CAD printed parts without needed additional third-party software. 3D Sprint is optimized for production environments with the latest time-saving workflows, UI and UX to maximize printer capacity and build volume utilization for batch run jobs, the company says.

To complete the workflow, 3D Systems will resell AMT’s line of products to provide a fully automated postprocessing workflow. AMT’s PostPro industrial-scale, SLS postprocessing system includes fully automated depowdering and chemical vapor smoothing solutions that optimize part quality and mechanical performance while improving efficiencies. PostPro is said to enable batch cleaning and smoothing of parts thus reducing lead time and manufacturing costs and enabling factory scalability.