Metal 3D printers made for research

Laser Powder Bed Fusion 3D printers from Aconity3D offer virtually unlimited possibilities for scientists and engineers. As a manufacturer of platforms for conducting advanced research on new metallic materials, optimizing 3D printing parameters and creating complex cellular structures, Aconity3D prioritizes openness, innovation and versatility.

The company offers a range of devices, including one compact 3D printer – AconityMICRO (Ø100xH 150mm) dedicated to microfabrication, for example, cell structures with 40 µm walls and four modular printers of various sizes and capabilities, including a microprinting module, as in the model AconityMICRO.

Metal 3D printers from Aconity3D are characterized by a unique design of the working chamber, which allows you to easily and quickly change the printed alloy. To speed up the process, the company offers an additional, mobile working chamber that allows you to change the material in the printer in just 5 minutes. This is extremely important for scientists and engineers who want to test and compare different types of materials. Thanks to these solutions, Aconity3D printers are extremely flexible and allow you to experiment with different metals and alloys.

An interesting feature in the AconityMIDI device is the ability to reduce the working area to a diameter of up to 25mm, together with the powder feeder. This allows printing with very small amounts of powder – for example 100g – which allows you to experiment with many materials with little time and money involved in the production or acquisition of spherical metallic powders for research.

Another unique option is to equip Aconity3D 3D printers – MICRO and MIDI+ models with a multi-material 3D printing system by Aerosint. It gives the possibility of controlled application of up to three different powders within one layer, significantly expanding the possibilities of printing complex functional elements, such as electrical parts or heat exchangers.

One of the advantages of Aconity3D printers is the ability to install heated build plates that can reach temperatures of 800 ° C and even up to 1200 ° C in induction heating mode. This enables the processing of brittle materials such as TiAlN intermetallic phases, which require high temperatures for printing and are normally printed only in the electron beam remelting technology – EBM.

Aconity3D 3D printers are also equipped with an advanced system for controlling laser scanning parameters, both in terms of power and spot diameter. This enables precise adjustment of the printing process to the specifications of a given material. In addition, they offer oscillatory modes of laser operation, the possibility of multiple surface remelting, as well as the use of variable profiles within a single scanning vector.

Aconity3D’s extensive multi-laser 3D printing capabilities are the key to new, yet unexplored printing strategies. In the MIDI+ and TWO models, it is possible to use up to four lasers that can work on the entire working field. In the MIDI model, it can be 2 lasers. This is different from most multi-laser 3D printers available, where each laser is usually only able to work on a part of the workspace. The approach used in Aconity3D devices enables the creation of complex printing strategies, which can, for example, include localized heat treatments introduced during the process.

However, Aconity3D goes a step further, offering the option of equipping their machines with up to four lasers with a power of up to 1200W each. A very interesting option in terms of research is the beamforming function from nLIGHT. It enables the generation of a ring-shaped spot, which in turn results in more efficient creation of thick-section components. What’s more, the shape of the beam can be dynamically and smoothly modified – up to 30 times per second. This allows you to go from a high-performance process to the precise finishing of print details and complex shapes in no time.

An extremely attractive option offered by Aconity3D is the possibility of equipping 3D printers with a green laser with a power of up to 500W. This type of laser significantly increases the processing capacity of materials that are traditionally difficult to process in the 3D printing process, such as copper, aluminum, as well as precious materials such as silver or gold. It can also facilitate the printing of unconventional powders, for example with coatings, or the processing of oxidized powders.

The shielding gas flow and exhaust control system enables advanced atmosphere control during printing, which is especially important when processing reactive metals such as magnesium and its alloys. Filters can be equipped with reactive powder passivation systems, guaranteeing safety and high quality of 3D printing. Additional possibilities are the use of nitrogen as a shielding gas, which can be an alternative to argon in steel printing, or the possibility of printing in a vacuum.

Finally, it is worth mentioning the modular design of Aconity3D, which allows for many configuration options and gives you the opportunity to buy additional components after purchasing the 3D printer itself. In this way, the technology evolves with the needs, becoming even more versatile and effective.

As a result, Aconity3D devices are not just advanced 3D printing tools – they are a platform for research, experimentation and innovation. Thanks to them, you can not only research, create and optimize, but also push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of metal 3D printing.

More information on Aconity3D 3D printers can be obtained from the Polish distributor – AMAZEMET or directly by email [email protected]