Prima Additive, a division of the Prima Industrie Group specializing in metal additive manufacturing technologies, has secured a contract to provide a cutting-edge system for metal additive manufacturing (AM) to the University of Birmingham in the UK.
The system, known as the Print Genius 150 Double Wavelength, represents a groundbreaking advancement in Powder Bed Fusion technology. It features two lasers of different wavelengths integrated into a single system: a 300 W infrared laser and a 200 W green laser. This innovative configuration allows for alternate operation on the same cylindrical work area of ⌀150 x 160mm, ensuring exceptional performance, reliability, and precision in every application.
The versatility of the Print Genius 150 DW enables the processing of a wide range of materials, from conventional metals like steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, and cobalt chrome alloys using the infrared laser, to highly reflective materials such as pure copper and precious metals utilizing the green laser. Particularly noteworthy is the green laser’s capability to address challenges related to absorption, process stability, and efficiency when working with these alloys, including achieving exceptional accuracy in processing precious metals like gold.
The University of Birmingham, home to the Advanced Materials & Processing Laboratory (AMPLab) within the School of Metallurgy and Materials, will leverage this state-of-the-art system for research into novel materials, including functionally graded materials, copper and its alloys, precious metals, and refractory metals.
Funding for the acquisition of this advanced technology was made possible through a Strategic Equipment Grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). As part of its role as a national facility, the university will provide access to the system for researchers from across the UK, spanning academia and industry, facilitating collaborative research endeavors.
Professor Moataz Attallah, Director of AMPLab, expressed excitement about the addition of the Print Genius 150 Double Wavelength to the lab’s research capabilities. He highlighted the system’s potential to drive fundamental scientific exploration and foster innovation through collaborative endeavors with manufacturing companies.
Paolo Calefati, CEO of Prima Additive, emphasized the significance of partnering with esteemed institutions like the University of Birmingham. He underscored the importance of university collaborations in driving advancements in additive manufacturing technology and expressed enthusiasm for supporting research and innovation initiatives at the university and within the broader manufacturing community.
The collaboration between Prima Additive and the University of Birmingham exemplifies the synergy between academic research and industrial innovation, paving the way for advancements in metal additive manufacturing and its applications in various sectors.