Renishaw announced a collaboration with Additive Automations, a start-up company based in Sheffield, to automate the post-processing steps of metal 3D printing and provide more cost-effective solutions for large-scale production lines.
The project is called “Additional Layer Support Separation Through Automation (SALSA)” and aims to reduce part costs by 25% through the use of collaborative robots (cobot) and digital twin technology. The process uses cobot’s integrated force sensor to work, which collects data to determine the geometry of the part. This data is then analyzed by the software to determine the position of the support structure, and then the end effector tool is used to remove it.
Robert Bush, the founder and CEO of Additive Automations, explained: “Automated support removal and finishing in AM completely changed the economic situation of AM expansion. This is the first time that manufacturers around the world can quickly produce This technology has been adopted in China.” “The digitalization of AM has also brought improvements in quality, traceability and repeatability. Given that on average nearly two-thirds of post-processing costs come from finishing and supporting structure removal, we believe that automation It can reduce the cost of parts by 25% on average.”
Since its establishment, Additive Automations has received funding from the British Innovation Corporation and the Canadian National Research Council, and has partnered with Renishaw and the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Center (AMRC). Renishaw stated that it has been working with the company since last year and provided four examples of titanium alloy parts involving medical, oil and gas, automotive and mechanical engineering applications to demonstrate the removal process of its supporting structure.
Renishaw AM Marketing Director Bryan Austin explained: “Improvements in post-processing can put AM at the forefront of new applications in medical and aerospace applications.” “Automated manufacturing processes can make the adoption of additive manufacturing necessary to operate large-scale production lines. Manufacturers are more attractive.”