EWI has purchased an industry-leading electron beam melting (EBM) system from Arcam AB, a top provider of metal additive manufacturing (AM) solutions.
The Arcam A2X is an electron-beam powder bed fusion machine that additively manufactures large parts. This technology is capable of delivering a high volume of material quickly, which gives it an advantage over several other AM processes and makes the system especially well-suited to creating parts for the aerospace and space exploration sectors. Its platform offers a build envelope of 200 x 200 x 380 mm.
“We are very excited to add the Arcam system to our growing suite of AM offerings,” said Frank Medina, EWI Principal Engineer for additive manufacturing. “The capabilities of the A2X will enable us to help our customers with the development of new material processes and open EBM technology to novel applications.”
The system is designed to process titanium alloys as well as materials that require elevated process temperatures such as titanium aluminide and Inconel. With precision technology that delivers an electron beam up to 3000 W – 3x more powerful than other metal powder bed AM technologies – the A2X can maintain a scan speed that allows melting at multiple points simultaneously. By sustaining a level of 1×10-5 mBar or higher throughout the entire build cycle, the vacuum system prevents oxidation and contamination. All combined, these features can eliminate residual stress and ensure superior material properties with a minimum of post-processing. EWI expects the new A2X to align in its work with aerospace and medical device manufacturers.
In addition to production, the Arcam A2X is ideal for research and process development for new materials. Arcam has an open material strategy to actively support customers working with their process development.
“We are happy to have EWI as a customer,” said Magnus René, CEO of Arcam. “Their experience in materials engineering, testing, and parameter development will help advance our technology and our product.”
The Arcam A2X has been commissioned at EWI’s Buffalo Manufacturing Works facility, and is available for project work.