At the additive manufacturing show Formnext, currently underway in Frankfurt, Germany, Trumpf is debuting an upgraded version of its TruPrint 1000 system.
The system has been equipped with automation technologies and upgraded laser scanning strategies that make it two times faster than its predecessor, making it suited for series production – for example in the dental and medical industries.
With the new ‘Multiplate’ function, users of the new TruPrint 1000 can stack up to four build plates on top of each other in the build cylinder, with the system then being able to print components on them one after the other.
"The TruPrint 1000 can produce all night without a worker having to be present. Users save a lot of time and therefore costs," says Mirko De Boni, Product Manager at Trumpf.
At just 80cm wide, the machine takes up very little space and can pass through a standard door. Even in small production halls, users can have several machines producing side by side in parallel and speed up their series production even further.
For example, the dental industry could use the TruPrint to produce thousands of dental prostheses, i.e. crowns, bridges and also cast models, from the alloys cobalt chrome or titanium. The system is also suitable for medical technology manufacturers or prototype construction in many other industries.
Upgraded multi-laser option available
The TruPrint 1000 is also available with two lasers, ramping up the speeds of the systems even further as both lasers can process the entire build plate.
"This newly upgraded system now offers 100 per cent overlapping capability of the two lasers, offering higher processing speeds compared to its predecessor, which offered 70 per cent overlapping," De Boni told Laser Systems Europe at the show.
The TruPrint 1000 also uses a beam expander to automatically adjust the spot diameter of the laser to the particular build job. The spot diameter can be 55 or 80μm, depending on the application. The wider spot allows for higher productivity, while the 55μm spot can be used when special powders need higher energy density.
Exchange cylinder and improved shielding gas flow
With an exchange kit, the user can quickly and easily change the build, powder and overflow cylinders of the TruPrint 1000. The filters are easily accessible on the side of the machine. The user can change them quickly. "This means a material change, such as from cobalt chrome to titanium, can be completed in just 15 to 20 minutes," says De Boni.
Brushes and gloves are also integrated into the machine, meaning that without having to open the door, the user can clean additively manufactured components and unpack the build job. "This is a big advantage,” De Boni continued. “If powder swirls up, machine operators can't contaminate themselves with the material."
A view inside the TruPrint 1000 system on the show floor at Formnext
Trumpf has also improved the flow of the shielding gas during the production process. "Thanks to the primary and secondary flow, the work area remains clean even after several build jobs and the protective glass does not become contaminated. This is also true when processing tool steel, which is actually prone to heavy fuming," says De Boni.
If the protective glass does get dirty, the machine operator can remove and clean it in a few easy steps. The sophisticated gas flow also ensures a consistent production process, as predefined laser power always reaches the powder. Thanks to the clean working environment, users can apply higher layer thicknesses. This increases the productivity of the system and improves the quality of the additively manufactured components.
Webinar now on demand: Additive manufacturing for series production
