Posted to News on 25th Nov 2014, 15:34
The EVO Project - additive manufacturing for industrial use
Renishaw is unveiling the machine that it is developing specifically for production manufacturing. Provisionally named EVO Project, it is the first additive manufacturing system designed and engineered in-house at Renishaw and reflects the company's 40 years of experience in supplying high-quality equipment to demanding global manufacturing businesses.
The new machine, which has a strong emphasis on automation, monitoring technologies and reduced operator interaction, is designed for single material industrial production. Powder handling is almost entirely hands-off, whilst powder recirculation, recycling and recovery are all carried out within the inert atmosphere of the system, protecting both the user and the integrity of the material.
Renishaw's EVO Project machine incorporates a high-power 500W laser which will aid productivity whilst still maintaining precision and surface finish. It also boasts a high-capacity filtration system, a large 19" HMI user interface and intelligent workflow to further reduce the need for operator interaction.
The new machine, which is planned to be available in the second-half of 2015, is designed to complement and not replace the current Renishaw AM250 system, which is better suited for flexible manufacturing and research applications where changes between materials are a requirement. The AM250 has an interchangeable hopper system which allows various materials to be used on the same machine.
Renishaw continues to develop the AM250 system which is also benefitting from some of the developments made for the EVO Project machine. This has led to the recent introduction of the PlusPac upgrade pack which offers improvements to Z-axis seals and chamber lighting, plus substantially improved gas recirculation and filtration.
At Euromold 2014, taking place between 25th and 28th November in Frankfurt, the Renishaw stand will feature an EVO Project machine, AM250 system and an AM250 fitted with the PlusPac upgrade.
For further information on the EVO Project please visit www.renishaw.com/evoproject and sign up to receive updates on machine developments. A short video is also available at youtu.be/HyP2aP7BHRk.
