Assonic Develops Automated System for Processing Reactive Metal Powders Without Gas Loss

Assonic’s SPC 500 metal powder screening system conveys both powder and gas in a closed circuit to help eliminate gas loss during the preprocessing and postprocessing of reactive metals in additive manufacturing (AM).

Often, manufacturers can consume large amounts of inert gas during the preparation and processing of reactive metal powders (such as titanium), which is then emitted into the atmosphere after processing. Working with an East German university, Assonic Dorstener Siebtechnik has resolved this issue with the development of a metal powder screening system that conveys both the powder and the inert gas by means of a vacuum in a closed circuit.

The closed circuit can reduce the costs for inert gases (such as argon or nitrogen) during preprocessing and postprocessing but also enables a fully automated system for sensitive processing without the need for manual intervention. The company says the system can achieve product throughput of approximately 200 kg/hr in the aluminum version and as much as 400 kg/hr in stainless steel.

“With the development of the new SPC 500, Assonic has mastered the challenge of automated powder preparation for reactive powders. This means that problem-free, efficient powder handling is now also possible with reactive materials such as titanium — without cost explosions due to high gas consumption, without constant checks by personnel,“ explained Paul Tüshaus, managing director of the Dorstener Drahtwerke Group, which is Assonic’s parent company.

The company says that a closed automated powder circuit is clean and safe even without the inert option and can save quite a bit of energy costs if the vacuum generation is chosen appropriately. Intermediate powder storage tanks can be connected and an automated powder conveying system can be designed between the laser printer and the powder preparation system (see picture). Depowdering systems can also be connected.