The AM250 allows the construction of fully dense, highly complex metal parts and structures using additive manufacturing technology.
The system will be used by an aerospace and manufacturing multidisciplinary research team within the
University's college of engineering. Part of the team's focus is the ASTUTE (Advanced Sustainable Manufacturing Technologies) project, a joint initiative part-funded by the EU's Convergence European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh government. The aim of the project is to promote growth within the manufacturing industry in West Wales.
Renishaw's additive manufacturing (AM) technology is a digitally driven process that uses a high powered ytterbium fibre laser to fuse fine metallic powders in to 3D objects, direct from 3D CAD data. The metallic powder is distributed evenly across the build plate in layer thicknesses ranging from 20 to 100 microns forming the 2D cross section. The layer of powder is then fused using the laser in a tightly controlled atmosphere. The process is repeated, building up parts of complex geometries, layer by layer.
“Renishaw is very pleased to have won this tender against strong competition from other additive manufacturing suppliers,” says Simon Scott, director of Renishaw's additive manufacturing products division. “There is great potential for additive technologies, and through the work of centres of excellence like Swansea University, the global possibilities to improve energy efficiency and product performance can be thoroughly investigated.”