3D ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, an innovative and fast growing sector
This new technology is rapidly gaining ground in the engineering and prototyping.
Given the extreme precision, the low costs and the speed of execution, this technology is spreading in the production of prototypes, special parts in low series and customized parts (e g orthopedic prosthesis)
3D ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, an innovative and fast growing sector
The operating principle
A coat of metal powder or plastic polymer is spread in an inertized chamber, usually with nitrogen or argon.
It is perfectly levelled by means of an automatic system.
The powder is then melted, layer by layer, using a point laser extremely precise.
The additive techniques of our interest are two: SLM and DMLS.
Selective Laser Melting (SLM)
Is an additive manufacturing method that allows to obtain a 3D solid component from thin layers of metal powder deposited one at a time.
Usually used with aluminum, stainless steel, cobalt, chromium, titanium, and tungsten.
Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)
Is an additive manufacturing technique that allows to melt dust layers with a laser.
Direct Metal Laser Sintering technology allows to realize pre-production samples directly in metal, ready to be tested or already used as final elements.
3D ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, an innovative and fast growing sector
The built pieces emerge from the bed of dust that has NOT been melted and that is still present in the «tray» of the laser printer.
Almost all machines have a recovery and screening system for unused powders.
After screening, they will be reused in other printing processes, due to the high costs of these dusts.
So what is a specific vacuum cleaner used for?
3D ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, an innovative and fast growing sector
This is the typical configuration of a 3D printing lab.
You can see the printer , a vacuum bench , and a mobile vacuum cleaner.
The Vacuum cleaner is used for multiple purposes
- Cleaning of finished parts, allowing the recovery
of dust. - Cleaning the printer itself , as there is often
residues, avoiding cross contamination. - Cleaning the working environment to keep
contamination level low
3D ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, an innovative and fast growing sector
The vacuum cleaner plays a key role in these laboratories. The parts must be cleaned, as well as the printing machines and the environment.
The powders can be metallic or plastic
- In both cases there is a danger of explosion and therefore an ATEX vacuum cleaner is at least always required.
- In particular cases, especially with highly reactive powders such as aluminum and titanium, a vacuum cleaner is required not only in ATEX, but which also has a liquid inertization system.
- Finally, sometimes it may be required to have a specific vacuum cleaner for each type of dust , especially if you want to avoid contamination and you want to collect the individual dusts for their reuse.
3D ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, an innovative and fast-growing sector
So let’s remember: When is the vacuum cleaner needed?
For cleaning printed parts once finished
To clean the 3D printer
To clean the working environment
Here is the RGS range for plastic or metal powders of 3D printers
Vacuum cleaners for NON conductive explosive dusts
Vacuum cleaner for explosive conductive dusts
Vacuum cleaner for explosive conductive or reactive dusts
| In general, all ATEX Z22 machines are suitable. We recommend these models because they are compact. This type of dust is usually plastic. | We recommend model AD36X2 1D/3D, a compressed air machine with certification Z20 internal and Z22 external. This type of dust is metallic, therefore more dangerous. | We recommend our model A236INX2.3D equipped with a liquid inertization system. These types of powders are metallic reactive, therefore even more dangerous. |
Plastic powder 3D printers
This type of 3D printers, always of the additive type and not to be confused with the filament printers, use plastic-derived powders to create the final piece.
Widely used for rapid prototyping and sampling.
The most famous manufacturer is HP which has a very important range of machines.
- For this application, an ATEX Z22 vacuum cleaner is sufficient, since the powder being plastic (nylon or derivatives) is static and non-conductive.
Given the small quantities to be recovered, big sized machines are appreciated.
Metal powder 3D printers
This type of printers uses metal powders to make finished parts. They can be aluminum alloys, stainless steel, magnesium, titanium, cobalt chromium, lithium and others.
Typically they are conductive and particularly reactive powders, which tend to be explosive.
- They can be collected with vacuum cleaners certified for Z20 internal or by immersion in a liquid bath.
Using Z20 certified internal dry filtration machines, they reduce the risk and the probability of explosion and allow easy recovery and reuse of dusts.
If the customer uses different powders, he usually has a vacuum cleaner for each product in order to avoid contamination.
If you choose to deal with the problem in this way, our AD36X2 1D/3D is just right for the purpose. 10
Metal powder 3D printers
For greater safety at work, another way to face the problem is with a immersion vacuum cleaner.
This machine, also in ATEX Z22, has a special tank in which liquid is introduced to inert the sucked dust, thus eliminating the risk of explosion.
For better safety it is necessary to use a particular type of mineral oil, but in this way, it is not possible to recover the sucked dust for reuse and furthermore it becomes a special waste to be disposed.
Many customers then use normal water which then evaporates so the dust can be recovered for reuse.
With some types of powders ( e.g. Aluminium) caution is required as they can produce hydrogen if mixed with water.
Operation of our immersion vacuum cleaner
Operation of our immersion vacuum cleaner
The sucked metal powder runs through the diving deflector and is conveyed into the inertizing liquid with which it mixes.
The powder remains trapped in the liquid as the purified air rises, passes through the PPI mist filter, passes through the hole kept open by the float and continues towards the coalescencing cartridge placed under the cover.
The float in the tank ensures that there is always sufficient inertizing liquid.
If the level should drop excessively due to use, the intake passage closes and the machine no longer sucks.
Exploded filter sector
Operation of our immersion vacuum cleaner
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | A236INX2.3D |
| ATEX Certified Zone | 22 |
| Voltage (V) | 230/480 |
| Power (kW) | 1.5 |
| Vacuum Pressure (mmH₂O) | 3000 |
| Air Flow (m³/h) | 210 |
| Primary Filter Type | Cartridge |
| Primary Filter Surface (m²) | 0.15 |
| Filter Cleaning System | Manual |
| 2nd Stage of Filtration | PPI |
| 3rd Stage of Filtration | 3 fiber filters H30 |
| Suction Inlet Ø (mm) | 40 |
| Liquid Capacity (L) | 6 |
| Dust Capacity (L) | 4 |
| Container Type | AISI304 |
| Noise Level (dB(A)) | 72 |
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