Revolution in Manufacturing
Additive Manufacturing has revolutionized the way things are made. It has opened up new and exciting opportunities for designers, customers and industry. Even complex geometries can be manufactured at low cost and in a short time. It enables extensive customization and production flexibility. Additive Manufacturing has evolved from prototyping to mass production.
As in all manufacturing processes, the quality of the end product heavily relies on the properties of the base material and the precision of the machines. Process gases therefore play a crucial role in Additive Manufacturing and are involved in every stage of the AM production chain, from the manufacture of metal powder to surface treatment. Thanks to Linde's gas and metal expertise, we have been a significant partner since the early stages of Additive Manufacturing, helping to find the right supplier of world-class industrial and specialty gases and gas delivery solutions.
Modern techniques for producing high-performance metal parts
Manufacturing processes that use laser technology, such as laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF), laser metal deposition (LMD), and selective laser sintering, are the most commonly used 3D printing processes.
All of these processes require industrial gases to protect the hot substrate from the atmosphere and to fine-tune the properties of the finished product. Linde offers a wide range of shielding gas solutions to maintain and fine-tune the properties of different materials.
360-degree additive manufacturing
Additive manufacturing doesn't begin and end in the powder bed. Pre and post-melting of metal powder requires fine-tuning to ensure your workpieces are as strong and uniform as you need them to be.
Areas of additive manufacturing
Laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) is known by various names, such as selective metal laser sintering, metal laser melting, direct metal printing, and direct metal laser sintering. Linde provides gas supply systems for pure gaseous or liquid argon, which creates a suitable inert atmosphere for L-PBF processes.
Laser metal deposition (LMD) is a process that uses a powerful laser beam attached to a robotic system. The beam creates a melting pool on the metal substrate, which is fed with powder or metal wire. Linde provides gas supply systems for gaseous or cryogenic liquid gases such as helium, argon, or nitrogen which support laser cladding processes.
Selective laser sintering (SLS) is a popular additive manufacturing process using polymer powders such as Nylon, carbon fiber, glass fiber reinforced nylon, or fine polyamide. Linde supplies liquefied nitrogen which supports selective laser sintering processes.
World-class gas supply options, technology and metallurgy expertise.
No matter how complex your plans or how strict your quality requirements - Linde redefines what's possible so that you can realize your vision without limits.
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Additive manufacturing value chain with gas solutons from Linde
The process from powder production through to cleaning of the finished item - all the process steps that Linde can play a part in AM are described in this video.
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