Solukon Upgrades SFM-AT350 Depowdering System for Medium-Sized Parts

Solukon has upgraded its SFM-AT350 depowdering system for medium-sized parts, making it even smarter and more transparent — and now cleans even more efficiently. Upgrades include the addition of the SPR-Pathfinder depowdering software, a new form of excitation for depowdering delicate structures and new tracking options with the enhanced Digital Factory Tool.

The system is intended for postprocessing medium-sized parts up to a height of 420 mm and a weight of 60 kg. The main features of the system include high freedom of motion, a compact structure with optimized chamber volumes and a minimal inertization time. Solukon is continuously developing and refining its systems to keep them prepared for all geometries. With three key upgrades, Solukon has now made the SFM-AT350 even stronger.

With the systems’s SPR-Pathfinder depowdering software, it is no longer necessary to program complex cleaning sequences for the SFM-AT350. Instead, they can be calculated quickly and easily with the SPR- Pathfinder software, which was initially designed just for the larger SFM-AT800-S and SFM-AT1000-S systems. Now it is available for the midrange segment. Based on the CAD file of the build job, the SPR-Pathfinder calculates the ideal motion sequence in the Solukon system for removing excess powder from complex interior structures.

The calculations of the software 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 ensures that even the most complex parts with labyrinth-like channels are cleaned in record time and without any human programming effort.

“Smart, software-supported depowdering is also the key to serial cleaning with the SFM-AT350 and therefore, real serial production,” says Andreas Hartmann, Solukon CEO/CTO.

The system also offers a new form of excitation for delicate structures. In the future, Solukon will offer the depowdering system as the SFM-AT350-E with piezoelectric excitation. Users will have the choice between two completely different excitation forms — the familiar pneumatic form in conjunction with a vibrator and an optional knocker or the piezoelectric excitation. Both the piezoelectric excitation form (the SFM-AT350-E) and the SPR-Pathfinder are available as options for the SFM-AT350.

Because piezoelectric excitation originates directly at the rotary table of the Solukon system, the part can be shifted to the optimal vibration range with high precision. The high frequencies of the electronic excitation are considerably higher than the harmful natural frequency of the part. As the frequency constantly controls and regulates itself, the risk of exciting the resonance frequency and damaging sensitive structures is avoided.

Consequently, the SFM-AT350-E is well suited for depowdering delicate structures made from materials that are difficult to depowder, such as copper. Another advantage of the new form of excitation is its low levels of noise emission. As a result, the SFM-AT350-E is an appropriate fit for the naturally quiet 3D printer environment.

“The requirements for depowdering increase as part complexity, material complexity and diversity increase. Growing production quantities are also an influential factor,” Hartmann says. “At the same time, our customers want us to provide systems that are very easy to operate. After experiencing a breakthrough with the launch of our smart SPR-Pathfinder software, which calculates optimal part motion, we have achieved a further milestone upon launching the SFM-AT350-E. For any depowdering challenge, we can now offer the optimal frequency excitation.”

The system also features new tracking options with an enhanced Digital Factory Tool. Just like the SFM-AT800-S and SFM-AT1000-S, the SFM-AT350 and SFM-AT350-E are both available with an enhanced Digital Factory Tool (DFT).

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• Read about Solukon’s metal powder collection unit which 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.
   
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• Learn 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.