Sciaky has announced the commercial availability of their 3D printer which features a build volume 5.8m (19’) long.
This printer is one of the largest in the world and was developed in collaboration with Lockheed Martin. It uses wire feedstock rather than powder.
The system uses an electron beam additive manufacturing (EBAM) process, which has been marketed as Direct Manufacturing (DM). It combines CAD, electron beam welding technology and layer-additive processing.
Starting with a 3D model from a CAD program, Sciaky’s articulated, moving electron beam welding gun deposits metal (via wire feedstock), layer by layer, until the part reaches near-net shape. From there, the near-net shape part requires minor post-production machining.
Deposition rates of Sciaky’s EBAM process range from 3.1 kg/hr to 9 kg/hr (7 to 20 lbs/hr), depending upon part geometry and the material selected.
The build envelope can reach up to 5.8m x 1.2m x 1.2m (19′ x 4′ x 4′) L x W x H, allowing manufacturers to produce very large parts and structures, with virtually no waste.
Sciaky launched its EBAM process in 2009 with the objective to save manufacturers time and money on the production of large-scale, high-value metal parts and prototypes.
Today, Sciaky’s additive manufacturing process remains the only large-scale, fully-programmable means of achieving near-net shape parts made of titanium, tantalum, inconel and other high-value metals.
Deliveries of the system are expected to commence September 1, 2014.
How does Sciaky’s Additive Manufacturing process work? [VIDEO]