Metal powder buffer storage for additive manufacturing
Streamline your additive manufacturing workflow with our advanced solution, designed to efficiently buffer, convey, and store metal powders—ensuring seamless transitions between 3D printing and reprocessing stages while maximizing productivity.
Buffers and Conveys Metal Powder for 3D Printing
The vHub 250 by Volkmann offers an engineered solution for efficient metal powder management within additive manufacturing environments. Designed with an integrated vacuum conveyor, it buffers and transports up to 1,500 kg/h of various metal powders, such as stainless steel and titanium, for seamless integration with 3D printing and powder reprocessing systems. Its modular configuration allows for expansion, accommodating storage volumes from 250L to 1,000L by linking multiple units.
Engineered for high-capacity and automated operations, the vHub 250 ensures uninterrupted production by managing excess and reprocessed powder between equipment, enhancing productivity across aerospace, automotive, and medical device industries. The unit is ATEX-certified for handling dust explosive powders and is crafted from corrosion-resistant 316L stainless steel to maintain integrity and safety under operational conditions.
Employing a double filter stage, it minimizes environmental impact while protecting employees, with options for inert gas operations to prevent oxidation. The vHub 250 is equipped with a Unitronics PLC interface for easy monitoring and control, enabling remote operations and status checks. With quick disassembly features, it facilitates easy cleaning, crucial for maintaining sterile conditions in regulated industries like pharmaceuticals.
Benefits
- Enhances productivity with rapid metal powder throughput up to 1,500 kg/h.
- Increases operational flexibility by integrating with multiple 3D printers and reprocessing units.
- Improves safety and compliance with ATEX certification for explosive environments.
- Reduces manual handling time through automated and remote-controlled operations.
- Maintains product quality with sensitive inert gas options and robust corrosion-resistant construction.
- Applications
- Metal powders,Powder reprocessing,Dust explosive metal powders,3d printing,Additive manufacturing,Stainless steel powder
- End products
- Aluminum aerospace structures,High-strength steel brackets,Medical-grade titanium implants,Precision metal gears,Stainless steel automotive parts,Custom metal prototypes,Copper heat exchangers,Cobalt-chrome dental restorations,Titanium aerospace components,Nickel-based superalloy turbine blades
- Steps before
- Depowdering,Powder reprocessing,Feeding from upstream equipment,Unpacking
- Steps after
- Powder supply to downstream process,Powder reprocessing with PowTReX,Loading into 3D printer,Packing for storage
- Input ingredients
- metal powder,stainless steel powder,fresh metal powder,reprocessed metal powder,powder from 3D printer,powder from upstream process,powder from container,powder from IBC containers
- Output ingredients
- buffered metal powder,reprocessed metal powder,metal powder for 3D printers,metal powder for downstream process,disposed metal powder
- Market info
- Volkmann is known for manufacturing vacuum conveying systems, specializing in pneumatic conveying of bulk materials. Their reputation for innovative and reliable equipment solutions in various industries positions them as a trusted provider for engineered-to-order material handling systems.
- Buffer Volume
- 250 L (8.83 ft³)
- Expandable Buffer Volume
- Up to 1000 L (35.3 ft³)
- Conveying Capacity
- Up to 1,500 kg/h (3340 lbs/hr)
- Conveying Distance
- Up to 25 meters
- Material Compatibility
- Stainless Steel (316L)
- Surface Finish
- Glass Bead Blasted,Ra ~ 1.1 µm
- Wall Thickness
- 1.5 mm
- Inert Gas Operation
- Optional
- Integrated Vacuum Conveyor
- Included
- Filter Stage
- Integrated Double Filter
- Automation
- PLC-controlled
- Footprint
- Less than 1 m² (11.1 ft²)
- Control Interface
- Unitronics PLC with 2-line Display
- Working mechanism
- Integrated vacuum conveyor
- Buffer capacity
- 250L - 1000L
- Conveying distance
- Up to 25 meters
- Powder handling
- Metal powders for AM
- Loading flexibility
- Manual unpacking with hose and suction lance
- Pneumatic operation
- 1,500 kg/h powder conveyance
- Integration level
- Pre- and post-processing
- Mode of operation
- Continuous buffer and supply
- Automation level
- Equipped with PLC and remote control option
- Explosion risk prevention
- ATEX certified
- Corrosive resistance (e.g. acids)
- Stainless steel (316L)
- Cleanability
- Easy disassembly and cleaning without tools
- Density/particle size
- 0.5–2.5 g/cm³ / 50–1000 µm
- Abrasion resistance
- Glass bead blasted surface
- Biological compatibility
- ATEX certified for dust explosive metal powders
- Footprint
- Less than 1 m² (11.1 ft²)
- Tank volume
- 250L (8.83 ft³),up to 1000 L (35.3 ft³) with combined units
- Material of construction
- Stainless steel (316L),glass bead blasted surface
- Wall thickness
- 1.5 mm
- Control panel type
- Unitronics PLC with 2-line display and membrane keypad
- Control panel type
- Unitronics PLC with 2-line display and membrane keypad
- Integration possibilities
- Integration with upstream and downstream processes
- Remote control feature
- Optional remote control for suction process
- Expansion capabilities
- Volume up to 1000L by combining up to four vHub 250 units