Metal Powder Handling

The First and Still the Best

As the additive manufacturing industry continues to scale-up and transition from manual batch processing to automated continuous processing, the industry faces challenges associated with non-uniform metal powders and post-process material waste. As one of our customers explained, traditional recovery was like “panning for gold.” Leftover metal powder in the build box was frequently discarded, resulting in gross inefficiencies and increased costs.

In 2014, VAC-U-MAX revolutionized metal powder recovery with the introduction of the AM-MPRS™ Metal Powder Recovery System. Our automated closed-loop system has been a game changer for AM operations, addressing the challenges and reducing processing time by 85%. More recently, we partnered with industry leaders GEMCO and VORTI-SIV to develop the AM-MPRR™ Recovery & Reconditioning System, widely regarded by manufacturing and systems engineers as the best solution in the industry.

As we set new benchmarks in AM powder recovery, our systems continue to drive efficiency, sustainability, and innovation in additive manufacturing. Further, every system is customizable for your specifications, opening the door for entirely new capabilities in your manufacturing lines. Put us to the test and find out what VAC-U-MAX can do for you.

Increase productivity and reduce waste with clean powder recovery.

Metal powder recovery is a critical step in additive manufacturing, and our systems consider every detail, from system performance to workplace safety:

• Reduce waste. Recover up to 95% of unused metal powder from printing beds then deliver them for immediate reuse, blending, storage, or recycling.
• Maintain quality. Our closed-loop systems prevent contamination, moisture, spills, and leakage. Sieving and optional blending or drying ensure that the material is kept on spec. Optional inert gas purging minimizes oxidation and prevents degradation.
• Protect your workforce. Our systems eliminate manual handling, improve ergonomics, and significantly reduce operator exposure to toxic or reactive metal dust. The closed-loop system prevents dust exposure, and reactive powders are processed in an inert atmosphere to prevent fire or explosion.
• Reduce costs. Additive manufacturing materials are expensive; so are safety issues and wasted hours. Our systems minimize downtime and maximize material usage, streamlining your entire workflow.
• Improve efficiency. Powder is recovered up to 85% faster than traditional methods. Cleaning and maintenance time is dramatically reduced. Systems can be set up to feed right back into your masterbatch for continuous manufacturing.
• Foster a more sustainable AM environment. Our systems optimize material usage and minimize waste. Reuse and recondition metal powders instead of relying solely on raw material. The automated workflow prevents human error and spills, and the closed system prevents leaks, waste, and contamination.

Meet Our Solutions: AM-MPRS™ & AM-MPRR™

VAC-U-MAX offers two main systems for metal powder recovery, each of which can be customized for your process. The Metal Powder Recovery System (AM-MPRS™) extracts powder directly from the 3D printer, transfers and sieves it under controlled conditions, then conveys it back to the printer for immediate reuse. The Metal Powder Recovery & Reconditioning System (AM-MPRR™) also fully extracts and sieves powders, and then it reconditions the material, allowing it to be homogenized and optimized for reuse.

Both options are closed-loop systems, protecting material from contamination, maintaining moisture content, and significantly reducing the risk of operator exposure to dust. Reclaimed powder can be reused immediately, blended with virgin materials, collected for storage, or set aside for recycling. Our systems feature VAC-U-MAX plug-and-play design and are easily serviced—no tools needed—and their low profile, portable design makes them easy to maneuver around print rooms. Select a system below to learn more and view full specifications.

Ready to maximize the lifecycle of your powders?

Getting started is easy. Simply contact us and tell us about your AM process. With over 70 years of experience in bulk material handling and over 10,000 materials handled, VAC-U-MAX is the partner you want for precision, performance, and smart safety. All equipment is engineered, manufactured, and tested right here in the USA and will arrive at your facility fully configured and ready to go. We’re with you every step of the way, through installation, startup, operator training, and beyond.

Learn more.

You can learn more about our Metal Powder Recovery System in our article, Additive Manufacturing Operation Automates Metal Sieving Process, Reducing Time by 85%, where we discuss two real-world applications of the AM-MPRS—first automating metal powder recovery for Matsuura Machinery USA’s Lumex Additive Manufacturing Center, and then partnering with Matsuura to create an OEM sieving system that they could sell alongside their LUMEX line of hybrid 3D printers.

If you’d like to dive deeper into the technology of powder recovery and reconditioning, read our article, The 3R’s Revolutionizing Metal Powder Additive Manufacturing, where we discuss the challenges of additive manufacturing and the steps we take to safely, quickly, and cleanly recover valuable material—right back into your production line.

We Also Recommend: Industrial Vacuum Cleaners for Metal Powders

In addition to our metal powder recovery systems, VAC-U-MAX also offers a selection of industrial vacuum cleaners that are excellent for additive manufacturing and 3D printing facilities. Our metal powder recovery vacuums can handle both reactive and nonreactive metal powders. These units are ATEX certified, NFPA 484 compliant, explosion-proof, and come complete with our bumper-to-bumper static control guarantee.