Solukon’s SFM-AT350 launched in November 2021, and has since gone on to become the ‘best-selling’ depowdering system in the mid-range segment according to the company. Solukon has now announced that with new upgrades, the system has become ‘even smarter and more transparent.’
The SFM AT350 is a depowdering machine for medium-sized components up to 420mm in height and 60kg in weight. Solukon claims that the system has a high degree of freedom in motion, an optimised chamber volume and a minimal inertisation period.
Since the launch of its system in 2021 the company has said that a trend is evident towards 3D printed parts becoming more complex. Solukon claims that it constantly develops and refines its systems to be ready for any geometries.
SPR Pathfinder was the first software upgrade. According to the company, now that the software has been released for the midrange segment, complex cleaning sequences can be calculated more quickly and easily.
Based on the CAD files of the build, SPR Pathfinder calculates an ideal motion sequence for the Solukon System to remove excess powder from complex internal structures. Solukon says the calculations are based on a flow simulation that analyses the part’s digital twin. Solukon then reads each motion sequence, and runs it according to the program.
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“Smart, software-supported depowdering is also the key to serial cleaning with the SFM-AT350 and therefore, real serial production,” said Andreas Hartmann, CEO and CTO at Solukon.
The system’s next upgrade was the introduction to piezoelectric stimulation in the depowdering process. Users can now choose between two excitation types, the pneumatic excitation in combination with a vibration and an optional knocker and the piezoelectric form.
According to the company, since the piezoelectric excitation is generated directly in the center of the rotary system table, the part can easily be moved into the vibration range that suits it best. Solukon says that the frequency is constantly regulating and controlling itself. This eliminates the danger of damaging sensitive structures by causing the resonance frequency to be excited.
“The requirements for depowdering increase as part complexity, material complexity and diversity increase. A growing production quantity is another important factor. Our customers are also looking for systems that operate easily. 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,” added Hartmann.
The SFM AT350 and SFM AT350-E, like the SFM AT800-S and SFM AT1000-S are available with a Digital-Factory Tool (DFT) that has been enhanced. The DFT is enhanced with several new features, which the company promises to announce at a future date.
Solukon will launch the SFM AT350-E with SPR Pathfinder at Formnext in Frankfurt.