A new metal 3D printing machine has arrived on the Lille campus: the Markforged Metal X.
Soon to be installed in room 0414, visible from the new passageway between the workshop hall and the renovated metalworking hall, it will enable the production of complex metal parts (stainless steel, copper, Inconel®) that are difficult or impossible to obtain using other manufacturing processes (machining, casting, forging, etc.)..
As with other manufacturing processes, an AGV (automated guided vehicle that moves autonomously without human intervention), combined with collaborative robotics, will transport the finished parts between the two areas in order to direct them to the machining tools if necessary before they reach the warehouse or assembly line.
Processes ranging from conventional to the most innovative
While several institutions already have such metal additive manufacturing machines, Arts et Métiers by offering a wide range of processes, from conventional to the most innovative, for its training and research activities. The new metal 3D printing machine is one of these processes.
Printing will be carried out using FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) filament deposition technology, combined with MIM (Metal Injection Molding) technology.
In practical terms, parts formed by the deposition of filament composed of metal powder and composite binder are then post-processed in two phases:
- Debinding, which consists of removing the organic binders contained in the manufactured part;
- Sintering, which aims to eliminate any residual organic binder remaining after the debinding cycle, then to fuse the metal particles together (more information).
An investment in research and training
This investment will primarily benefit research professors in their research work. For LISPEN, this equipment will enable the prototyping of all or part of innovative effector components used in robotics.
The machines are also intended to be used for teaching purposes, particularly for projects undertaken by second- and third-year students in the Grande Ecole program.
The manufactured parts will be used in many fields such as automotive, aeronautics, aerospace, medical, nuclear, etc. Depending on collaborative research projects with industry, Arts et Métiers involved in manufacturing parts for some of these sectors. It is a modern and flexible solution, but one that is costly and requires knowledge of design and materials.
Management will be coordinated between SATER and LISPEN.
This equipment was funded as part of EquipEx TIRREX (technological infrastructure for excellence in robotics research). EquipEx aims to maintain the excellence and leadership of French research.
LISPEN is one of six members funded by EquipEx TIRREX, which has more than 20 partners and is supported by the CNRS.
