The Hi-Sifter Metal Powder Recycling System is the latest development in the rapidly growing additive manufacturing market. It is the first powder reclaiming system that can sieve at 44 microns and finer (from as low as 7 microns to what is more commonly needed at 44 microns).
In order to recycle AM Powders after printing, companies must run them through a screener to remove overs, or partially sintered particles, that form in the process. These “Splatter particles” can affect the layering inside the 3D printer and need to be removed before the powder can be reused. Typically, companies need to recycle AM powders at a size range of either 107 or 44 microns. Traditional screeners struggle to maintain high rates and efficiencies at these sizes, leading to the use of 53, 63, and even 74-micron cuts to achieve separation. We categorize this method of sieving as “cheating the hole.” The rates achieved by these standard screeners cannot keep up with the powder coming out of the vacuum, which causes significant processing delays. Anytime the 3D printer is not running, money is being lost. Elcan Industries has developed a solution to all of these pressing issues.
The Hi-Sifter Powder Reclaiming System is designed specifically for the additive manufacturing, aerospace, and biomedical markets. It has an entirely polished stainless steel body and does not require the use of balls, sliders, or ultrasonics to make efficient separations. The Hi-Sifter high-energy sieving system uses a high-energy approach designed specifically for dense metal powder separation. These dense particles jump on the screen allowing the fine particles to pass through the screening mesh easily without blinding the screen mesh. The ability to make efficient separations eliminates the need to “cheat the hole.” Elcan believes that if your powder spec is 44 microns, it should be sieved at 44 microns, not 63 microns, as other companies do.
The high-energy approach quickly reduces the time it takes to recycle additive manufacturing powders. The system makes reclaiming powders from the printer an easy task. Equipped with an explosion-proof vacuum system, the Hi-Sifter Powder Reclaiming System quickly cleans powders out of the printer and feeds them through the screener. Everything can be done in an inert atmosphere, which is imperative when running explosive powders. The higher rates and efficiencies achieved by this system make quicker turnarounds and mean that you have a cleaner end product as well.
For more information on our advanced recycle box systems contact us today!
📞1-800-AT-ELCAN (1-800-283-5226)
