The multinational company RENISHAW (Renishaw) in the field of engineering technology will exhibit its RenAM 500Q multi-laser additive manufacturing system. It is reported that this equipment is equipped with four 500W high-power lasers, each laser beam can cover the entire powder bed surface at the same time. RenAM 500Q is highly efficient and can achieve a win-win situation in terms of production efficiency and manufacturing costs. RenAM 500Q has an automated powder and waste disposal system, which helps to achieve consistent process quality, reduce human-computer interaction time, and ensure high standards of system safety.
In addition, the process speed of RenAM 500Q is four times that of a single laser system, which helps to introduce metal additive manufacturing technology into new industries and increase the use of power for applications that previously lacked economic benefits. The competitive advantage of Renishaw's RenAM 500Q is to increase the production efficiency of each part while reducing costs, while the accuracy or quality is not compromised compared to standard single laser systems.
The core technology of RenAM 500Q is optical system and control software. The laser beam enters the system through four channels, and after dynamic focusing, it is introduced into an independent temperature-controlled galvanometer base. The galvanometer base has four pairs of CNC scanning galvanometers, which can guide the laser to cover the entire working area of the powder bed.
3D printing of titanium alloy tube holders for Atherton Bikes
Renishaw uses additive manufacturing (AM) technology to manufacture titanium alloy tube holders for mountain bike brand upstart Atherton Bikes. The prototype uses carbon fiber frame tubes and tube holders. After Renishaw made parts using the high-performance RenAM 500Q multi-laser additive manufacturing system, Atherton Bikes took over to build the vehicle.
Metal 3D printing accompanying cooling water channel mold
Metal 3D printed rib implant
Among the many exhibits, Antarctic Bear noticed this Renishaw manifold part 3D printed for the Brunel University Racing Team in London.
Renishaw and the University of London Brunel Motorsport team cooperated in the British Silverstone University Formula Car Competition (FS-UK) and the Italian University Formula Car Competition (FS-ATA) in July 2019. The team's 20th year of competition for the University Student Formula Car Competition (FS) provides full support. Renishaw uses its technical expertise in the field of metal additive manufacturing (AM) to produce manifold parts for the team's BR-XX racing cars.
This season, the team decided to adopt a bolder design, added a number of black technologies including dual-stage fuel injection technology, and improved the connection between the exhaust manifold and the engine to improve engine efficiency.
To achieve this, the Brunel University Racing Team first provided Renishaw with the original geometry design of the manifold parts. After joint optimization by both parties, it was carried out on Renishaw ’s RenAM 500Q multi-laser additive manufacturing system produce. The two parties worked together to disassemble the part into several smaller components, and minimized the overhang structure.
"Renishaw shared many valuable expertise and suggestions for the design of additive manufacturing of parts," said Matthew Crouch, a mechanical engineering student at Brunel University and one of the team managers, "In order to achieve additive manufacturing, The angle between the two overhangs and the vertical axis cannot exceed 55 °, and the cross-sectional thickness of each part must transition smoothly. "
"Practice has proven that additive manufacturing technology has advantages over traditional manufacturing processes," Crouch said. "As the strength increases, the actual performance of the finished parts is improved, and the post-processing procedures are greatly reduced."
"Additive manufacturing is gradually being promoted and applied to more and more industries," pointed out Joshua Whitmore, Renishaw's application engineer. "Many applications have proved that additive manufacturing helps to simplify the process and improve the performance of parts. Compared with obvious advantages. The application of multi-laser equipment such as RenAM 500Q is becoming more and more widely used, which can not only help manufacturers reduce the unit cost of parts, but also achieve double improvements in processing efficiency and productivity. "
For more Renishaw metal 3D printing solutions and application cases, please visit Renishaw booth N1-E55 during TCT 2020.