Conflux Technology pushes the boundaries of what's possible on metal AM machines to maximise beneficial outcomes for our customers. How do we do this? By creating custom parameter sets and scan strategies. Let me elaborate...What is a custom parameter set and a scan strategy?
A ‘custom parameter set’ is a bespoke set of numbers or ‘parameters’ that are used to control the operation of an AM machine – including laser power, scan speed and many other variables. A scan strategy describes the set of parameters that control the movement and timing of the laser or lasers.
Why are they important?
Optimising the parameter set and the scan strategy for a particular build is critical to allow fine features to be printed, to ensure density of thin-walled structures and to minimise both build time and scrap rate.
Each material has a ‘standard parameter set’ developed by the machine manufacturer. This works well for most build geometries. However, these are not suitable for printing the complex geometry and thin walls of a Conflux heat exchanger.
Without parameter development, a company must either rely on using standard parameter sets and design to their limitations, or purchase a custom set from a specialist that might be better suited, though not optimised.
How Conflux does it differently.
At Conflux, we do not want to be constrained by these limitations and so have developed custom parameter sets that allow us to print far finer features than standard. This results in better quality parts with finer features, consistent density, reduced scrap rate and reduced build times.
Some questions to consider asking when evaluating the capabilities of your metal additive manufacturer:
-Do they develop their own parameter sets and scan strategies?
-Do they understand -through evaluation and testing- the outcomes on material properties (density, mechanical strength, thermal conductivity) using their parameter sets?
-Do they understand the outcomes for productivity (build time, scrap rate) for the parts built using their parameter sets?
