Thanks to an ingenious interchangeable cylinder concept and an industry-ready periphery, the new TruPrint 3000 3D printer from laser and laser system manufacturer, TRUMPF, is ideal for the large-scale production of complex metal parts up to 300mm in diameter and 400mm in height. And, when enhanced by complementary process stations this new addition can become a highly effective 3D printing cell.
This medium format machine is based on the laser metal fusion (LMF) technique, in which the laser melts metallic powder, layer by layer, in a production bed to produce parts. LMF is particularly suited to the cost-effective manufacture of geometrically complex and custom parts. Many sectors will benefit from this introduction, from dental and medical engineering to automotive and even jewellery manufacture.
Depending on the part in question, it may be made from any weldable material such as steel, nickel-based alloys, titanium or aluminium in powder form. Since the TruPrint 3000 is equipped with two supply cylinders, up to 75 litres of powder are available for each job, which is around two and half times the construction volume. This is sufficient powder to complete an entire manufacturing process without having to stop for refilling.
Even if the powder were to run low, the ingenious tool change cylinder then kicks in. The TruPrint 3000 is designed so that the supply and overflow cylinders can be changed without interrupting the manufacturing process. This reduces downtime and increases the 3D printer’s productivity.
To ensure efficient powder management an automated sieve station is available with the TruPrint 3000 that refines several hundred kilograms of powder per hour to ensure consistent quality. Grain size, grain-size distribution and flowability are all factored in to determine the laser output and process speed that will maximise powder performance. And before the powder is delivered, TRUMPF performs an internal check to ensure it meets the customer’s quality requirements.
The TruPrint 3000 can also be specified as a complete process chain for additive manufacturing with the addition of an external unpacking station for parts to be cleaned and detached from the substrate. Thanks to the station’s safety gloves and sight protection, users don’t come into direct contact with the powder during unpacking and cleaning.
Customers not only benefit from the higher machine availability that results from external unpacking but also from a safe and sealed powder cycle too as excess material is automatically returned to the sieve station.
Completing the product programme is the TruTops Print with Siemens NX 3D design and production software, the first comprehensive software solution with a standardized user interface across systems. Industry 4.0 solutions can also be brought together for additive manufacturing via TRUMPF TruConnect.