SWITCHES & SENSORS A COMPLETE SOLUTION
PROCESS SENSING TECHNOLOGIES
Measuring oxygen in metal additive manufacturing
Metal additive manufacturing , also known as metal 3D printing , has become a widely adopted manufacturing process , particularly with the increased use and possibilities of metal powders . Businesses are turning to this technology due to the many benefits 3D printing provides in creating metal parts . These benefits include faster turnaround times and increased flexibility to create complex structures , frequently resulting in significant cost reductions . To ensure the additive manufacturing system is running efficiently and delivers optimal quality , manufacturers use a number of sensors and monitoring instruments on their machines .
Process Sensing Technologies ( PST ) can provide a complete solution for quality , safety and efficiency in additive manufacturing with a range of analyzers and sensors for precision measurement and monitoring , designed to be integrated into AM machine manufacturers ’ control and safety systems . Using zirconia sensor and solid-state technology , PST can also offer a range of oxygen analyzers that have been
It is critical that the quality of the end product is not impaired by the presence of oxygen during the metal 3D printing process .
specifically developed for harsh process applications and are designed to comply with the requirements of IEC 61508 ( SIL 2 ) for the fail-safe oxygen measurement on inert gas blanketing applications .
PST provides oxygen monitoring equipment for the production of specialised parts used in highly demanding end-user markets such as aerospace , medical , defence and transport . Having the ability to measure oxygen is important in detecting changes in the 3D printing chamber environment . The atmosphere within the printing chamber must remain stable . Small changes in oxygen content can negatively impact the properties of metals , particularly titanium and aluminum .
It is critical that the quality of the end product is not impaired by the presence of oxygen during the metal 3D printing process . Reducing the chances of oxidization of the metal during the build process is essential as this can lead to a build failure , stress test failure or also a density test failure due to low quality standards .
In addition to the risk of oxidization , moisture contamination is also recognised as a potential quality issue that affects the integrity of the product . Traditional metallurgical process – such as sintering – require dry , inert atmospheres to ensure strength and reliability . This is also the case in metal additive manufacturing .
For more information , please visit www . processsensing . com / am
120 PECM Issue 55