Expanded 3D production capabilities
27. March 2019
BENSELER Group invests in high-tech SLM systems
Markgröningen/Kirchheim/T., February 7, 2019.
Highly complex components for the automotive industry, motorsports, special-purpose machinery and toolmaking, as well as medical technology are the specialty of 3D Laser BW. To manufacture these parts, the company primarily relies on the SLM process (selective laser melting). With two new high-tech 3D printers, the BENSELER Group subsidiary has expanded its production operations, creating additional capacity for its customers and their projects.
Two ProX320 high-tech SLM systems from 3D Systems, including 3D-Expert software and corresponding simulation tools, have recently been put into operation at 3D Laser BW. This ensures stable and reliable production. Each of the new SLM systems features a build volume of 270 x 270 x 420 mm. The machines operate with argon, resulting in high material and surface quality.
To precisely verify component designs and identify potential printing errors before data is sent to the machine, the component specialists have also invested in powerful software: 3D-Expert Build Simulation. With its extensive simulation and analysis capabilities, it enables thorough pre-checks. “We have a great deal of experience, but even we can occasionally overlook small details,” explain Oliver Wagner and Silvio Peschke, Managing Directors of 3D Laser BW. “The larger and more complex a component is, the greater the challenge of producing a perfectly printed part on a metal SLM system. Thanks to this new tool, we can avoid costly test runs and subsequent corrections.”
At its production facility in Kirchheim unter Teck, 3D Laser BW manufactures direct parts primarily for companies in the automotive industry, special-purpose machinery and mold making, aerospace engineering, and medical technology. The metal laser melting (SLM) process used generates components layer by layer based on 3D CAD data. Layer thicknesses between 0.02 and 0.09 mm are possible, and with short lead times. This means that, in addition to prototypes, first articles, and pre-series parts, small batch sizes, small series, and short-notice solutions can also be produced—all with the highest precision.
The specialists at 3D Laser BW provide comprehensive consulting on whether SLM is the optimal manufacturing process for a specific component or whether machining from solid material or even sand or investment casting would be more suitable. In addition, they assess feasibility and optimize components for the SLM process, for example with regard to weight reduction and functional integration. Various simulations prior to production are also part of the company’s service portfolio.
To precisely verify component designs and identify potential printing errors before data is sent to the machine, the component specialists have also invested in powerful software: 3D-Expert Build Simulation. With its extensive simulation and analysis capabilities, it enables thorough pre-checks. “We have a great deal of experience, but even we can occasionally overlook small details,” explain Oliver Wagner and Silvio Peschke, Managing Directors of 3D Laser BW. “The larger and more complex a component is, the greater the challenge of producing a perfectly printed part on a metal SLM system. Thanks to this new tool, we can avoid costly test runs and subsequent corrections.”
At its production facility in Kirchheim unter Teck, 3D Laser BW manufactures direct parts primarily for companies in the automotive industry, special-purpose machinery and mold making, aerospace engineering, and medical technology. The metal laser melting (SLM) process used generates components layer by layer based on 3D CAD data. Layer thicknesses between 0.02 and 0.09 mm are possible, and with short lead times. This means that, in addition to prototypes, first articles, and pre-series parts, small batch sizes, small series, and short-notice solutions can also be produced—all with the highest precision.
The specialists at 3D Laser BW provide comprehensive consulting on whether SLM is the optimal manufacturing process for a specific component or whether machining from solid material or even sand or investment casting would be more suitable. In addition, they assess feasibility and optimize components for the SLM process, for example with regard to weight reduction and functional integration. Various simulations prior to production are also part of the company’s service portfolio.