AddUp - Model FormUp 350 -Laser-Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) Machine
AddUp’s FormUp 350 is a laser-powder bed fusion (L-PBF) machine that offers manufacturers reliability, repeatability, and high performance. Its 350 x 350 x 350 mm manufacturing size is ideally suited to cover a wide range of applications, from small, but high-volume fine featured medical parts, to imposing hydraulic blocks for the aerospace industry.
SURFACE FINISH
Every component of the FormUp 350 has been designed to deliver parts with an incomparable surface finish, limiting the need for time-consuming post-production stages. The FormUp 350 offers enormous flexibility in terms of powder use. Depending on the application, it can be used with the market-standard medium powder. In this case, users can choose between a conventional but flexible scraper spreading system, or a repeatable and robust roller spreading system.
When configured in roller mode, the FormUp 350 can handle fine powders with a D90 of less than 16µm. This makes it possible to reduce lay-up thickness and greatly improve the surface finish of the parts produced.
- Compatible with standard (D90 < 63µm) and fine (D90 < 16µM) powders
- Flexibility in the use of different spreading systems
- Improved surface finish
- Reduced quantity of media required
- Versatile recipe parameters to suit different applications
PRODUCTIVITY
Productivity can be optimized in several ways: reducing waiting times between production runs, maximizing melting speed, optimizing dispensing speed, etc. But there are also other factors to consider after production has been completed, such as the support removal stage or the amount of post-processing to be applied. The FormUp 350 addresses each of these points and offers users numerous technological building blocks to maximize the OEE of their equipment.
- Each of the 4 lasers cover the entire platform: no overlap management to anticipate
- Automatic balancing of head loads on each element to be melted
- Bi-directional recoating with hidden-time cycle preparation
- Adaptive strategies according to part height or angle
- Build chamber cooling circuits for rapid release of the FormUp 350
At AddUp, we know that the needs of manufacturers, driven by stringent regulatory requirements, are very diverse. Each requires a high level of performance, security, and confidence.
Resulting from 7 years of development and continuous improvement, the FormUp 350 offers users a complete set of technological assets, proven layer after layer on our machines currently in production with customers across the world.
Powder is a key element of final parts quality. It is a very sensitive element which can be highly degraded when exposed to oxygen, smokes, … The Autonomous Power Module (APM), developed exclusively for the FormUp in partnership with AZO, is in charge of the full powder management. Unlike other solutions, the APM keeps powder in fully inerted condition from start to finish. It guarantees a constant supply of powder, without interrupting production, regardless of the quantities to be produced.
Furthermore, complete inerting of the APM for powder storage, conveying, and handling with use of a glove box during the loading and unloading of the powder ensures that the powder is not exposed to the environment or to operators. The APM’s powder sampling device allows for easy sampling of powder at any time through the glovebox, minimizing risk of exposure to powders. The APM also has automatic cycles for circuit purge and emptying ensuring that the powder handling system is always clean.
Managing the fumes generated during melting is a particularly important step. Depending on the material used, the number of lasers operated and the surface area to be fused, the quantity of fumes produced can saturate an inefficient treatment system and potentially create serious risks for operators.
The FormUp 350 features a top-of-the-range treatment system capable of efficiently collecting the fumes created, while automatically ensuring the cleaning and passivation phases. This system is based on 6 parallel filters with a service life of 3 years under intensive conditions.
- Industrial fume management
- Real-time and historical cycle traceability
- 3-year filter life
- Automatic passivation and cleaning sequences
On the FormUp 350, every effort has been made to minimize operator workload and maximize operational efficiency.
As soon as the tray is loaded, NCore, the FormUp 350’s on-board software, automatically handles all operations: plate hooking and referencing, inerting sequence, hooking grid firing and production start-up. If required, automatic mode can be replaced by manual mode, while maintaining a high level of assistance. The user interface then exposes a succession of predetermined steps, which can be sequenced according to the user’s needs. A customizable production start-up checklist can also be presented to confirm the machine’s operating status prior to production. At the end of production, the optimized cooling sequence takes over, freeing up access to the de-soldering sequence as soon as possible. Production reports, containing all the information required for traceability purposes, are generated in parallel.
- Automatic product launch sequences
- Simplified workflow for manual use
- Customizable start-up checklists
- Automatic end-of-production management with full reporting
AddUp software has a view of what is occurring inside the machine, analysis of the execution of production, and analysis of the quality of layering. Each of these solutions and the parameters can be tailored to different needs of various manufacturing roles.
Manufacturing Managers will follow the load of their workshop and make sure they do not encounter any bottlenecks. Quality Experts will have access to a Build Report which includes every single event during production, with an OK / INCOMPLETE / FLAG status automatically generated. Finally, Process Experts will have full control over dozens of variables, with advanced features to cross reference Key Process Parameters or KPPs.
The modular design of the FormUp 350 allows each manufacturer to configure the machine according to their needs.
Opt for a controlled investment, with a machine designed to be scalable. Whatever the chosen configuration, you can add new modules, options or equipment to your machine at any time, thus delaying its obsolescence. AddUp is committed to ensuring that all future improvements offered on this range are compatible with your machine.
Standard Machine Configuration
SIZE:
Machine dimensions: L= 2.55 x W= 2.2 x H= 2.2 m
Weight w/o powder device: 4 tons
Build volume: 350 x 350 x 350 mm (~43L) - no bolt holes
POWDER:
Powder recoating device: Bidirectional roller or scraper (brush or silicone)
Standard powder module: For non-reactive and medium PSD
Autonomous powder module: For all types of powder, continous supply
Sieving: Sieving device integrated w/multiple mesh sizes
Powder recovery: High HSE powder recovery during production
Vacuum: Inerted and integrated
LASERS:
Optical type: Up to 4 Ytterbium continous fiber lasers
Laser power: 500 W
Spot diameter: 70 μm
Platform coverage: 100% coverage by each laser
3D scanners: 2 axes for X/Y displacement + 1 axis for focus
Max speed: 10 m/s
Accuracy: 35 μm
Wavelength: 1070 nm
PART PROPERTIES:
Avg. time between production: 1 hour or less
Precision: Up to 0.1 mm**
Density: Up to 99.99%**
FILTRATION:
Laser glass protection: Cross jet system
Fume and fusion residue: Filtration device w/automatic unclogging
Calcium carbonate residue passivation
Filter lifetime: > 3 years
GAS SUPPLY:
Gas type: Argon or nitrogen with programmable O2 levels
Laminar flow: Adjustable from 0.5 to 3 m/s
SOFTWARE:
CAM solutions: AddUp Manager or Ntwin
Remote maintenance: AddUp Remote Control
VISUALS:
Visualization: Supervision camera on every layer