Automatic cleaning and surface finishing of MJF PA12 printed parts using AM Solutions’ post-processing technologies
Renault Flins has invested in a new machine for the automatic cleaning of polymer parts printed on a powder bed at the end of 2022 and has integrated AM Solutions’ post-processing technology.
The 3D printing workshop at the Refactory Renault in Flins prints prototype parts, manufacturing support tools and mass-produced vehicle parts for the needs of the Group and external companies. With more than 20 years’ experience in additive manufacturing, French carmaker Renault Group has opened its own 3D printing centre at its Flins site in the Paris region. The centre has 18 polymer 3D printers, spread over 500 square metres. A dedicated post-processing area has been set up, equipped with an AM Solutions surface finishing machine and a colouring machine.
Additive manufacturing at Renault – an investment in the future
Investing in the future is part of the Renault Group’s DNA. That’s why it was only natural for the company to embark on additive manufacturing some twenty years ago. It began with wire deposition processes to design tooling. In the meantime, additive manufacturing has been developed at various production sites. In 2020, the Refactory project focused on 4 main areas of activity: Re-trofit, RE-energy, Re-cycle and Re-start was set up at Renault Flins. The aim is to extend the life of vehicles and refurbish car parts. In addition to printing prototype parts, manufacturing support tools and production vehicle parts, the company serves the needs of both the Group and external companies. According to Mélanie CHEVÉ, Additive Manufacturing Process Manager at Renault Flins, “industrial 3D printing must be reliable, repeatable and efficient in terms of cost, quality and lead time”. This was AM Solutions’ challenge for Renault Flins.
Optimised post-processing thanks to AM Solutions S1
Many post-processing operations still had to be carried out manually on Renault parts. Manual post-processing was time-consuming, labour-intensive and produced inconsistent results. To optimise this, Renault Flins chose the S1 post-processing machine from AM Solutions – 3D post processing technology. The machine was designed to reduce blasting and cleaning times and improve the durability and appearance of the dyed parts. The challenge was therefore to automatically cleaning MJF PA 12 printed parts and then finish them by colouring.
Innovative, multi-talent solution for cleaning and finishing surfaces
The S1 machine met the challenges faced by Renault Flins for the post-processing of parts from powder-based polymer printing processes. This installation impresses by being able to perform cleaning and surface finishing with only one processing media in one self-contained unit. The S1 is capable of automatic and effective removal of residual powder after printing. The constant rotation of the work pieces during the cleaning process ensures consistent and repeatable blasting results. The ergonomic design, combined with a process-optimized nozzle placement for automatic operation, round off the overall package. Thanks to its compact and robust design, this multi-talent solution can be easily integrated into any production line and offers maximum reproducibility, traceability and cost-efficient.
“The ability to use the S1 for different blasting programmes, with different recipes and different media, was the trigger for the post-processing project,” says Nicolas Blondel’s Flins 3D printing team.
A word from our customer:
“Thank you for the support from Rösler – AM Solutions for installation, set-up and testing to ensure optimum performance and results”.
For over 80 years, the privately owned Rösler Oberflächentechnik GmbH has been actively engaged in the field of surface preparation and surface finishing. As global market leader, we offer a comprehensive portfolio of equipment, consumables and services around the mass finishing and shot blasting technologies for a wide spectrum of different industries. Our range of about 15,000 consumables, developed in our Customer Experience Centers and laboratories located all over the world, specifically serves our customers for resolving their individual finishing needs. Under the brand name AM Solutions, we offer numerous equipment solutions and services in the area of additive manufacturing/3D printing. Last-but-not-least, as our central training center the Rösler Academy offers practical, hands-on seminars to the subjects mass finishing, shot blasting and additive manufacturing. The Rösler group has a global network of 15 locations and approx. 150 sales agents.
For more information, please go to: www.rosler.com