Four-Laser Additive System Improves Productivity

Renishaw is introducing its new RenAM 500Q four-laser additive manufacturing system, designed for improved productivity in a common platform size. The system is said to offer a reduction in cost per part while maintaining the quality and precision offered by standard single-laser systems. By speeding up the process, the company hopes to broaden the utilization of metal additive manufacturing into applications that are presently uneconomic, potentially into industries that have not yet embraced AM in production applications.

The company is also introducing the InfiniAM process-monitoring technology, which enables manufacturers to benefit from gathering and analyzing sensor data from AM systems to develop consistent processing. The process monitoring system combines a chamber camera with synchronous sensing of laser power and galvo position, plus multi-spectral meltpool sensing. The system is also a production planning tool, and it provides feedback on the system sensor data from the AM build. Options include the InfiniAM Central and Spectral, which give users essential information to understand the component build process and monitoring melt pool characteristics in high resolution.

“Multiple-laser technology in a small footprint will broaden the appeal of additive manufacturing in new markets and applications,” explains Marketing Manager Robin Weston of Renishaw’s Additive Manufacturing Products Division.

Renishaw has also released its High Temperature Build Volume, a technology that enables manufacturers to build components from materials that are not currently feasible. The technology enables the production of bulkier parts with less risk of thermal stress effects, which can further expand the capabilities of additive manufacturing and provide a platform for research and development.