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Metal Powder Recovery & Reconditioning System

RE-Claim • RE-Classify • RE-Condition

AM-MPRR Metal Powder Recovery & Reconditioning System 

The AM-MPRR is jointly developed by VAC-U-MAX, Vorti-Siv and GEMCO, three American family-owned businesses with over 230 years of industrial powder handling experience. The system utilizes advanced vacuum technology to fully extract metal powders from the build box, sieves out foreign debris and oversized agglomerations, and reconditions the on-spec powder for future use.  The AM-MPRR system addresses key challenges faced by powder bed fusion and binder jet printing operations. It offers a comprehensive solution that translates to:

• Reduced Waste: By effectively recovering and reconditioning unused metal powder, AM-MPRR minimizes waste and maximizes material utilization.
• Cost Savings: Material usage optimization and streamlined operations lead to significant cost reductions in overall printing workflows.
• Improved Efficiency: The combined vacuum removal and sieving process significantly reduces downtime, resulting in faster printing cycles.
• Enhanced Sustainability: AM-MPRR promotes a more sustainable AM environment by minimizing waste and optimizing material usage.
• Maintained Quality: The system ensures reconditioned powders meet the high-performance standards required for critical AM applications.

> DOWNLOAD AM-MPRR (Additive Manufacturing - Metal Powder Recovery & Reconditioning System) 

Reclaim:

• The AM-MPRR system utilizes an innovative vacuum conveyor developed by VAC-U-MAX specifically for metal powders, including reactive versions that must be handled in an inert atmosphere.
• This technology safely and efficiently removes unused metal powder from the build box, eliminating the need for manual handling and reducing the risk of operator exposure and/or explosion.
• After separating the powder from the airstream, the conveyor then directly deposits the recovered powder onto a sieve to remove oversized materials before conveying the powder once again into the tumble blender for further processing.

Reclassify:

• A key component of the AM-MPRR system is a vibratory sieve from VORTI-SIV.
• This sieve incorporates an ultrasonic anti-blinding device ensures continuous operation and removes oversized particles and contaminants from recovered powder.
• VORTI-SIV's sieving technology plays a crucial role in maintaining consistent reusable powder quality for successful printing through multiple cycles.
• Standard sieve is a single deck with 63-micron screen cloth, but other sieve sizes and side outlets are also available.

Recondition:

• The recovered and reclassified powder enters GEMCO's tumble blender, a renowned solution for powder homogenization in the AM industry. Residual identical powder from multiple printers can be delivered to the tumble blender to be homogenized into a consistent masterbatch for reuse. Another version of the MPRR not only blends the powder effectively but dries it to a single-digit moisture content to improve the powder flowability.
• Tumble blenders and dryers are the most efficient devices for metal powder reconditioning.
• Flowability can be increased by using heat and gas purging.
• Tests for flowability show the effectiveness of the process.

Higher productivity. Easier handling. Less waste.
The AM-MPRS was designed to revolutionize your metal powder recovery process by extracting powder from the printing bed using vacuum and then sieving the powder for future use. Engineered for easy handling of metal powder, the AM-MPRS uses advanced vacuum technology to fully extract powder from the Additive Manufacturing/3D printing bed, then sieve it for future use—all in the 85% less time than traditional extraction. What’s more, because it is a closed system, it eliminates the operator having to come into contact with the powder, ensuring a safer environment.

> DOWNLOAD AM-MPRS (Additive Manufacturing - Metal Powder Recovery System) 

Features

The MPRS uses a compressed gas-powered VAC-U-MAX venturi to vacuum metal powders from the AM printing bed. Powder is separated from the airstream by gravity-drop and a surface filter, then discharged into a surge hopper, which meters the powder onto the screen deck of the sieve. Here larger powders and agglomerations are separated from smaller particles; the smaller particles pass through the screen and the sieve outlet into the collection container (aided by an ultrasonic generator that enhances powder flow), making them immediately available for reuse. Typical metal powders include Inconel, Stainless Steel, Haynes 282 and Cobalt Chrome. Using vacuum, the system will extract the powder, convey it to a vacuum receiver and then discharge the powder into a sieve. The sieve will then discharge powder into a pail, drum or IBC - in an inert environment. 

FEATURES & BENEFITS:
• Full powder recovery
• NFPA 484-compliant
• Recovers Iconel, Stainless Steel, Haynes 282 and Cobalt Chrome metal powders, including water-reactive powders
• Reduces cross-contamination of powders
• Screened powder is available for immediate reuse, blending with virgin materials, storage, or recycling
• Minimizes operator exposure 

THE VAC-U-MAX DIFFERENCE:

• Faster processing time
• Also handles polymer powders and ceramics
• Standard inert gas purge feature
• Quick take-apart, no special tools needed
• Low profile, mobile design
• Made in the USA
• Local product support
• Full performance guarantee

Specifications

• Pick up hand tool, 304 stainless steel construction with standard KF fitting
• Static conductive hose, smooth bore. Hose for non-aerospace application to be PVC construction, FDA and USDA approved. Aero-space application to be flexible stainless steel hose smooth bore construction.
• VAC-U-MAX, Vacuum Receiver Package with 36 square feet of filter area, counter weighted discharge valve. 316L stainless steel construction.  
• Inert gas purge fittings with gas purge manifold 
• HEPA Filter canister with filter
• Vacuum Generator- VAC-U-MAX Single Venturi Power Unit. Compressed air driven vacuum generator. ½” NPT high-pressure air connection. Requires 35CFM @ 60PSI for operation. With variable orifice assembly for adjustment of vacuum levels.
• High output suspended vibratory sieving machine with US230 Mesh and Ultrasonic Deblinding kit.
• Bonding and grounding kit
• UL Certified control panel NEMA 4 enclosure. Control panel will incorporate micro PLC for vacuum conveying functions, a starter for sieve, ground and bonding monitor, face mount ultrasonic control 
• Rolling frame, carbon steel powder coated. Square tubular frame with locking casters.