AM Solutions – 3-D post processing technology’s M1 Basic will be used as part of a project exploring metallic component manufacturing

AM Solutions — 3-D post-processing technology UK has announced that the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) operated by the University of Strathclyde, has recently taken delivery of its M1 Basic additive manufacturing (AM) post-processing technology which will be used as part of a research project focused on metal AM.

The M1 Basic will be located at one of the NMIS Group’s facilities within the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) in Renfrewshire and will be used as part of a project exploring metallic component manufacturing.

Scott Williams, head of sales at AM Solutions — 3-D post-processing technology UK, said: “It is fair to say that in many ways the aerospace sector is leading the way in the uptake of metal AM for production. Fundamentally, AM in aerospace applications can stimulate significant cost and lead-time reductions, the use of novel materials and unique design solutions, the mass reduction of components through extremely efficient and light-weight designs, and consolidation of multiple components for performance enhancement or risk management (namely through internal cooling features in thermally loaded components or by eliminating traditional joining processes).

“As we all know, metal AM machines exist in a process chain which includes post-processing, an area of urgent focus as manufacturers look for efficient, repeatable, automatic solutions that help to streamline the production of metal AM parts, and also reduce their unit cost. We are delighted that the NMIS has chosen the M1 Basic from AM Solutions as a key metal AM post-processing technology.”

Compact machine
AM Solutions is part of the Rösler Group which has been innovating surface finishing and post-processing technologies for over 80 years. The M1 Basic is an all-round machine that smooths and polishes single parts and small batches of both plastic and metal AM parts, and is a compact machine which is easily integrated into practically any manufacturing line.

Multiple parts can be simultaneously treated in separate processing chambers through the installation of divider plates, and the system features, among other things, a comprehensive, easy to operate software package which allows the storage of post-treatment processing programs that reduce the risk of operator errors. The machine promotes superior surface finish of work pieces in a cost-effective and repeatable fashion.

Stephen Fitzpatrick, machining and AM team lead at NMIS, said: “We are pushing the limits of AM. Key to this is helping the companies we work with make better decisions about current and future products to ensure that they are manufactured using material and energy efficient processes. For some manufacturers these benefits could be using AM, allowing the production of complex lightweight parts that were previously impossible to realise.”

AM Solutions provides a range of processes and machines that are all focused on elevating post-processing from a necessary evil to an enabling technology. The company exists to automate the post-processing of AM parts in order to overcome the sometimes, slow, costly, and disconnected process chain, and to ensure that it is an efficient and viable production alternative to legacy manufacturing technologies.