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Arcam EBM Spectra H 3D printer is based on additive manufacturing technology and has been released by GE Additive. GE Additive is known for manufacturing industrial 3D printers and has provided some of the great options to the 3D printing industry.
This 3D printer is aimed to withstand high temperatures so as to work with materials like TiAl and nickel alloy. This new version is designed to boost throughput as well as productivity as compared to the ones available with its predecessor.
The Arcam EBM Spectra H 3D Printer can handle larger parts production at a faster rate making it perfect as an industrial solution. The machine can handle the heat while handling a few of the toughest alloys that could not be used with any other 3D printing process, except EBM (Electron Beam Melting).
Features
Arcam EBM Spectra H 3D Printer comes packed with great features to make it compatible with various applications. Mostly targeted at melting tough alloys, the printer usually works with high temperatures and is used within industrial setups.
A large built and considerable space requirement comes alongside with purchase of Arcam EBM Spectra H 3D Printer.
The latest release by GE Additive, Arcam EBM Spectra H 3D Printer has been designed with 39% of increased build volume. This means that the 3D Printer is capable of printing even larger models and objects as it was able to do before. With bigger size one can expect to employ the working of the 3D printer to even broader space applications.
A big revolution in the pre and post Heating methods have been initiated with Arcam EBM Spectra H 3D Printer. With the introduction of 6kW HV-unit, all pre- and post-heating steps almost take half of the time when compared with other EBM machines.
This further speed up the 3D printing process, giving industries spare times for more and large scale production at a faster rate.
The company focus revolved around automating most of the processes within the system when designing Arcam EBM Spectra H 3D Printer. This new set up has an automated self-dosing sieve and hopper filling station process.
To make that possible, maintaining the powder weight is being done inside the hopper filling station and the PRS. The powder hoppers have been also automated. Hence, they now are self-closing when lifted and self-open while mounted in the machine.
Moreover, the fetch position calibration takes place during a material change which before was taking place during the start of the machine.
GE Additive and its team have worked to find the perfect solution for industrial setup. Who would like to involve manpower in beam calibration? The lesser the involvement of manual intervention, the better the precision.
With the same aim, this 3D printer eliminates the need for manual calibration with the help of Arcam xQam automatic calibration technology. Using this, the step can be completed in 15 minutes which used to take three to four hours. Again, improving the speed invested during basic steps.
Not to forget, with a closed powder handling system, the safety of the operator is well taken care of. Using a cyclone for low and high-density powder, the unwanted particles are removed without any problem. To get rid of magnetic or coarse particles, the machine has the sieving process.
Specifications
Arcam EBM Spectra H 3D Printer has a build volume of Ø250 x 430mm as compared to its predecessor which featured a build volume of 200 x 200 x 380mm. This is a 39% rise. A huge leap was taken by the company in the designing of this 3D printer.
Talking about the diameter and height of the machine, you are looking at a huge 250 mm diameter x 430 mm height size. The temperature can exceed 1000 degrees Celsius. Safety measures are introduced by the manufacturer of the machine by keeping the closed system in place. So, one can work around the machine without any worries.
Arcam EBM Spectra H 3D Printer has an auto-calibrated 6kW beam.
All these specifications make this printer sturdy and safe for melting tough metals and work around it without any issues.
Price
The price ranges between $ 100,000 – $ 250,000. An expected range for the 3D printer falling under industrial-grade printing. Falling under this range restricts the usage of this printer for large scale production within the manufacturing industries.
First Impressions
A giant machine with locked doors would rather give you an impression of a safe or something of that sort if you are not familiar with large 3D printers. It looks beautiful with a great outer design.
A touch screen of tablet size is featured at the front of the machine. Overall, it looks amazing to see such a huge 3D printer with amazing features and high efficiency.
Setup
As most of the task has been automated, the setup won’t be a huge question with this huge Arcam EBM Spectra H 3D Printer. If you have worked with other machines based on EBM, you can use this too without a problem.
Printing Type/Cost
The Arcam EBM Spectra H 3D Printer runs on the EBM process, also known as the Electron Beam Melting process.
EBM:
Electron beam Melting may seem like an SLS process at the first sight. However, it is completely different from an SLS Process. Electron beam melting is used for building parts from conductive metals instead of thermoplastic polymer. This is not it. The energy source makes a major difference in both processes. EBM utilizes electron beams instead of CO2 lasers to fuse the metals together.
SLS works on resins that are used in their liquid form. However, in EBM, the material is used in their powdered form. EBM technology is based on electric charges. These electric charges are responsible for reactions that occur between the electron beam and the powdered material. This further leads to the solidifying of the metal selectively.
After the material is filled in the machine and the required internal pressure is achieved, the electron beam is used to raise the temperature which is different for different metal.
The powder re-coater is used to deposit one layer of powder each time. After the layer is deposited, the electron beams are used to melt and fuse the powder together. Once the layer solidifies, the second layer is deposited using powder re-coater.
This process is repeated until the final part is not ready. The post-processing methods are used to take out the parts inside of the scattered powder.
Material Used:
As mentioned before, the machine uses materials that are conductive, or else, the electron beams won’t react and the process won’t happen at all. This is the reason why the Arcam EBM Spectra H 3D Printer cannot be used for 3D printing with PLA or ceramics.
Arcam EBM Spectra H 3D Printer is specially designed to work with four material:
- TiAl: This material is an alloy of titanium and aluminum, titanium aluminide. Being lighter than nickel-based alloys, these are used for making low-pressure turbines and is regarded as the most advanced aerospace material.
- Nickel alloy 718: This alloy is again a great material for producing corrosion-resistant and sturdy parts. The alloy is a combination of nickel and chromium with some extracts of niobium, iron, and molybdenum. A very minute amount of titanium and aluminum is also used in making of this alloy.
- Ti6Al4V Grade 5: This titanium alloy is the grade 5 alloy and is used for more than 50% of all the 3D printing that happens with various titanium alloys. Make stronger parts and very reliable material for aerospace applications.
- Ti6Al4V Grade 23: The alloy is a combination of titanium, aluminum, and vanadium. Usually utilized for Complex designing, wireframe geometries, etc.
Print Quality
The print quality is best as compared to most of the EBM machines out there in the market. The higher efficiency and production speed have provided the machine to produce more parts within the comparative time frame.
The finer details are possible with the use of this machine. One can create complex geometric designs using Arcam EBM Spectra H 3D Printer. Either it’s about creating lighter parts for aerospace application or building complex designs, Arcam EBM Spectra H 3D Printer can make every task completed with a perfect finish.
The post-processing is required to bring the best out of the parts created. One can design objects as well as functional prototypes using this huge machine capable of unveiling great potential coming forward.
Customer Service
The company is focused on providing the best customer support solutions to its customers. The team of professional and highly qualified engineers helps maintain the smooth running of the 3D printers throughout their life.
The company also signs service agreement with their customers which include access to the updates, phone and mail support that is available 24×7, preventive maintenance actions, spare parts, and emergency support.
The company also has a team of application support engineers. These engineers ensure the optimization of the EBM process according to the specific needs of every industry operation. You also get access to different training processes for different levels of users.
You can also request customized training processes in case you want to develop the EBM process for new materials.
The company is known as one of the best customer support providers within its competitors. You can expect the problem to be resolved at the earliest once put into ears of support specialists of the company.
Parameters Influencing the Purchase Decision
3D Printer cost: The price is on the higher side between $100,000 – $250,000. However, what can you expect for an industrial specific printer?
3D Print quality: The print quality is better than most of the 3D printers working on the EBM process in the market as of date. The automated systems and powder handling processes have increased the precision of the printer settings. And, is allowing for best quality prints.
3D Print speed: The speed has been raised the bar for many EBM machines currently available for purchase. The pre and post-heating automation have resulted in reducing the preparation time as well as the 100% increase in the power of the machine has led to faster print speed.
3D Printer capability: The printer is capable of withstanding a high temperature of more than 1000 degrees Celsius. The EBM process can be customized as per the industry-specific applications and feasible for adding newer material to the already existing list of materials.
3D Printer Practicality: The usage of the printer is broader than one can think. With more power and better features, the application can be widened when needed. As of now, the 3D printer is being used for aerospace, orthopedic implants, and few other sectors.
3D Printer User expectations: Expectation has always been higher from GE additive. And, the company has justified every expectation well. From speed to the larger volume, the feedbacks have been incorporated well with the release of the Arcam EBM Spectra H 3D Printer.
Verdict
There is one word for this 3D printer – ‘Amazing’. It could have been quoted perfect, however, with advancement, it is definitely a chance that better technology would be seen sooner. That does not anywhere lessen the contribution of this revolutionary EBM machine.
