Robotic Additive Manufacturing
Technical Details
Viridis3Dís Robotic Additive Manufacturing (RAM) system is novel in both its scalability and simplicity. By attaching a printhead to the end of an industrial robotic arm, Viridis is able to print large complex molds and volumes of cores.
The system works by filling an open tray on the back side of the printhead assembly with sand (solid consumable) from the hopper sand delivery system. The robot positions the printhead over the build table, drops sand, spreads it and prints all in a single pass. When setting up for the next pass, the robot rises in height by the layer thickness to add vertical depth. The process continues until the mold is complete.
CAD software directs the robot arm with prinhead to lay down thin layers of sand and binder jetting fluid. Curing is quick and backing delivers a strong final product that is ready for casting within hours.
Details
- 28" wide printhead for RAM 123/224 (12 print heads)
- 38" wide printhead for RAM 236/336 (16 print heads)
- Attached to ABB robotics (IRB 460) and controls
- Cartesian movement
- Base sand: Silica sands, GFN Oklahoma and Wedron
- Sand GFN65, round or subangular
- Modified Furan binder
- Dry acid-based catalyst (premixed)
- Speed: 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 vertical inches per hour
- System repeatability: 0.030µ
- Layers: 200µ - 500µ
- Accuracy +/- 0.010"
- Compatability: ferrous and nonferrous sand casting
- Strength (ambient dry): 175 psi
- Strength (oven baked 350°F) > 370 psi
Value
- Affordable
- Easy-to-use modular design
- Low consumables
- Scalable
