Are you looking to increase the process reliability and productivity of your machines for industrial 3D printing? We are your automation partner for all production methods and phases of additive manufacturing, from moving the print head with repeat accuracy to precise gas handling and automated loading and unloading. Our components, modules, ready-to-install solutions and complete systems can be easily and flexibly integrated into your existing technologies. Make the most of the potential of additive manufacturing by choosing us as your partner.
In all additive manufacturing processes, be it fused deposition modelling with plastic or selective laser printing with metal, moving e.g. the print head precisely and with repeat accuracy is the basis for consistently high production quality and efficiency. Automating the loading and unloading processes is another stepping stone to increase your productivity.
Our versatile motion solutions for print heads and laser heads are easy to install and reliably ensure that your additive manufacturing processes consistently produce perfect parts. The sturdy and very rigid axes are extremely accurate. Our advanced closed-loop servo systems detect, correct and prevent errors in real time during the printing process.
Especially when production volumes for 3D printing are high, it is worthwhile to automatically feed in and remove the printing materials and components. This makes the entire process faster and more efficient. And direct contact with substances that are hazardous to health can be avoided at the same time. We offer complete pick-and-place solutions with seamless connectivity to many PLCs.
With our online engineering tools, you can design your motion solutions for additive manufacturing technologies easily and reliably. Diagrams and drawings are checked and calculated based on the specifications that you enter. You select the most economical components for your requirements. That way, you reduce possible sources of error, speed up assembly time and lower the risk of unexpected failures. Another advantage is that you can order your configuration straightaway.
Festo components are a perfect match for the modular system from Bond 3D. The machines for 3D printing of plastics are assembled using different modules and segments, depending on the requirements. With our products such as valves, valve terminals, cylinders, ball screw axes, motors and controllers, this is very easy. Watch the video to find out more:
The gas atmosphere and temperature are factors that have an important effect on all additive production methods. Protective gases also play a decisive role in the production and quality of components in additive manufacturing processes using metal. We have built up considerable expertise with gas handling and can provide you with products that are suitable for the special requirements of your additive technologies.
Our solutions with their closed-loop systems and low leakage enable construction chambers to be quickly filled with gas in various flow rate ranges. The laminar flow reduces melt particles and smoke residue, thus forming the basis for a high-quality component. We offer valves and systems tailored to your application, from switched, closed- or open-loop controlled valves, simple directional control valves and dynamic proportional-pressure regulators to intelligent valve terminals for centrally controlling the gas flow.
If you use the Direct Energy Deposition (DED) or Laser Metal Deposition (LMD) process, you will be faced with the challenge of regulating the required shielding gas with great precision. This is the only way to avoid unnecessary gas consumption. We offer you two alternative solutions: flow control with the proportional flow control valve VEMD or pressure control with the proportional pressure regulators VEAA and VEAB. All three valves combine precision with high dynamic response and a very long service life.
"Our goal is to be the technology leader in the field of SLM technology. And we therefore need strong partners.
By collaborating with Festo, we have, for example, the possibility to regulate the process gas atmosphere, i.e. the pressure and oxygen content, to within very tight tolerances; this directly benefits the customer, because the process gas atmosphere has a significant impact on the quality of the component.
We decided to work with Festo because we have created a trusting partnership with the company and the components they supply are of a high quality."
Dr.-Ing. Vino Suntharakumaran
Managing Director at DMG MORI Additive GmbH
Festo supplies the pneumatic automation components for the LASERTEC 30 DUAL SLM and is involved in the development of the machine. Festo provides support with simulations and software in order to allow the automation components to get embedded in the machine and the processes, and help them to function correctly. Watch the video to find out more:
To ensure smooth additive manufacturing processes and perfectly printed components, materials such as metal powder or plastic granulate must be provided in the right form and dosage, in a dry state and without contamination. The requirements for providing the materials for 3D printing are different for each project. Using on our standard components as a basis, we work with you to develop the right ready-to-install solution for your application. The rotary actuator DFPD can be used to open and close the material flow. Dosing can also be carried out with the positioner CMSX or the pinch valve VZQA, without losing any materials or time. The service unit combination MSB6 provides the air preparation required to operate the components.