To provide engineers with more flexibility when using additive manufacturing (AM) systems, global engineering technologies company Renishaw has launched a new range of 3-D printers. The RenAM 500S Flex, a single laser AM machine and the RenAM 500Q Flex, a four-laser AM machine, both variants of the RenAM 500 range.

Each system feature a simplified powder-handling system, which is suited to manufacturers that must regularly swap build materials during production, such as those in R&D, pre-production or bureau environments.

The range features the same industry-leading optical, chamber and gas-flow designs as the RenAM 500 series and produces the same high-quality parts, as well as additional flexibility when changing powders. The simplified, non-recirculating powder system enables end users to easily change between materials, without compromising on part quality or build capacity.

To avoid cross contamination, engineers can easily clean the system between powders by changing out hard to clean parts, rather than manufacturers having to invest in a new machine for each material test. Parts can also be swapped in again if the operator wants to re-test the same material again, further reducing costs.

Lily Dixon, Renishaw AM project manager, said: “Manufacturers can quickly change powders in the RenAM 500S Flex and RenAM 500Q Flex in-house, giving them the flexibility they need to meet customer demand

“Once the pre-production stage is complete, the common-build environment allows any parameters to be directly transferred to a RenAM 500Q with powder recirculation, without the need to re-test the gas flow, chamber and optics. Manufacturers can also build full-size parts on a small scale before mass production.”

She added: “If the manufacturer no longer requires a flexible AM system, the Flex can even be converted into a recirculating machine — a feature that is unique to this system. Converting the system provides manufacturers with the highest productivity AM option for serial production.”