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Additive Manufacturing
Front and back of a cross section of PWR ’ s heat exchanger showcasing the complex internal geometries of the part .
complexity without support structures which then need to be removed in post-processing . PWR also works almost exclusively in aluminum , a material with many advantageous properties but which can be difficult to process with additive manufacturing . Due to aluminum ’ s relative volatility , it demands highly controlled conditions in the printing process for optimal printing outcomes . One of aluminum ’ s advantages , however , is its compatibility with traditional
manufacturing methods ; parts 3D-printed in aluminum can be further brazed or welded to take advantage of the potential provided by both additive and traditional manufacturing techniques . With a team new to the capabilities of additive manufacturing , PWR required a partner well-versed in the nuances of the technology to guide them through its implementation and development . AM is uniquely suited to address the challenges of heat exchanger manufacturing ,
Velo3D ’ s Sapphire printer utilizes laser powder bed fusion technology to produce metal parts , such as heat exchangers . The printer can be calibrated for a variety of metal alloys and can produce parts as big as 315mm in diameter by 1,000mm in height .
www . heat-exchanger-world . com Heat Exchanger World April 2023
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