Selective laser melting (SLM) technology provider SLM Solutions offers its SLM machine NXG XII 600. The machine is equipped with 12 lasers with 1 kW each and a square build envelope of 600 mm x 600 mm x 600 mm.
"NXG XII 600 is the fastest machine on the market-20x times faster compared to a single laser machine-and equipped with innovative technical features like the zoom function to achieve high productivity and reliability," said a company spokesperson. "It is designed to be used in serial production for high-volume applications as well as for printing large parts, which opens up new applications in the automotive and aerospace industries and paves the way to industrialized serial production."
An improved use of laser time in the build process enables increased build-up rates. The machine features a new compact optic system. The solution enables large overlap and is based on a tailor-made laser scanning system to best fit the build area. All 12 optics provide spot size definition via a double lens system called zoom function, enabling customers to choose between different spot sizes in the focal plane-boosting build-up rates to 1,000 cc/h and more. Producing a higher yield of parts in a single build job thereby enables mass production at a low cost per part.
Sam O'Leary, COO at SLM Solutions, said, "The NXG Xll 600 is a revolution in industrial manufacturing. Up until now, the limit had been considered to be that of a quad laser system. What we deliver here with 12 kW of installed laser power is a major step forward, not just for additive manufacturing (AM) but for manufacturing in general. The potential cost reduction and productivity gains that this machine offers mean that for the first time in the history of AM, you can have true serial production fully integrated into your supply chain."
To facilitate the integration of the NXG XII 600 into factories and supply chains, several automated features like an automatic build cylinder exchange, automatic build start as well as an external preheating station and external depowder station are part of the solution.
To achieve homogeneous part properties over the building platform, SLM Solutions has developed a gas flow set-up along with an optimized chamber design and SLM Solutions' patented sinter wall technology. The patented bi-directional recoating has been redesigned to be more compact and gas flow optimized.
"The NXG XII 600 features a robust machine design with a new thermal concept," said the spokesperson. "This reduces drifts to a minimum and allows customers to print seamless parts stitched together with up to 12 lasers. Additionally, the machine comes with a new UI concept focusing on the operator, which optimizes the workflow and reduces training requirements."
The machine is available with two different powder handling options, a gravity based and a vacuum based solution that keep downtime between each build job to a minimum.
For more information contact:
SLM Solutions NA, Inc.
48561 Alpha Drive, Suite 300
Wixom, MI 48393
248-243-5400
applications@slm-solutions.com
www.slm-solutions.com