RICOH x AMT – A partnership going from strength to strength…
AMT PostPro is a 3D Printing technology company dedicated to unlocking 3D printing as a viable alternative to traditional manufacturing through its suite of post-processing hardware.
As world leaders in the post-processing of 3D printed plastic parts, AMT are dedicated to providing automated finishing technology for every 3D printer. Expertise lies in chemical vapor smoothing and end-to-end automation, offering solutions that are printer and material platform agnostic. With 100 team members across facilities in the USA, Hungary, and the UK, AMT PostPro are globally recognised for revolutionising post-processing standards.
Application
AMT recently delivered Custom Color 3D Printing its newest Digital Manufacturing System (DMS) module to enable fully automatic post-processing workflow of Minikin figurines (small, custom-printed figurines) in what they describe as a process of bringing ‘digital dreams to superhero realities.’
DMS is a technology automating part workflow from the moment it is printed towards its final post-processed state. AMT has been installing several such systems in the market enabling customers to increase their productivity and significantly cut manual labour time.
Challenge
AMT was required to manufacture ‘racking’ components to support Minikin figurines during the process. These pockets needed a special geometric support mesh to have minimal contact with the figurines while simultaneously providing stable enough support for the automatic process and clearance for the robotic grippers.
At the same time, dimensional accuracy and stability of the racking pockets was critical to enable the pieces “click” with each other to construct the full racking section.
Solution
AMT looked into several designs and manufacture methods. Due to design, speed of manufacture, cost and material compatibility, Ricoh 3D’s own unique polypropylene material was the chosen solution for the racking. Furthermore, leveraging an existing partnership, compatibility played a significant factor – as Ricoh’s polypropylene pockets could be easily and effectively vapour smoothed via AMT’s own PP smoothing technology.
The racking designs were sent to Ricoh 3D, who proceeded to manufacture the 63 x 16 x 102mm racks on the SLS RICOH AM S5500p, firstly as prototype tests, then end-use applications after the successful testing and validation phase. Production was then ramped up to regular small volume production as required. Project support was ongoing between November 2022 to June 2023, and successfully demonstrated an AM solution supporting another AM solution, highlighting the power of collaborations in the 3D printing sector.
AMT PostPro SF100PP machine with Ricoh 3D’s racking solution
From Digital Dreams to Superhero Realities
Benefit
Ricoh’s polypropylene was particularly beneficial for this project, because of its chemical resistance against AMT’s current commercial FA326 solvent that is used for smoothing P’s and other rigid plastics. The collaboration, finalised with AMT’s vapour smoothing provided the pockets with the required surface finish to ensure they leave no marks when in contact with the Minikin figurines.
Said Konstantin Rybalcenko, AMT’s Global Head of Research & Development (R&D): “The normal supports we use for hanging or suspending parts are stainless steel wire-clips, but with the use of these PP cages, we can automatically load and unload parts into the chamber easily without marking the Polyamide polymer surface during the vapour smoothing process.”
Results
The final components showed accurate, expected and reliable functionality. Furthermore, the solution could be upscaled to fit the entire system.
Testimonial
“AMT is very happy to have such a reliable partner.”
AMT Global Head of Sales, Giorgio Ioannides
Giorgio Ioannides, AMT’s Global Head of Sales commented: “The Ricoh 3D team was able to iterate designs and provided the required solution quickly and efficiently.
“AMT is very happy to have such a reliable partner.”
Ricoh 3D’s Materials Specialist, Enrico Gallino added: “It’s another fantastic industry collaboration.
“We were delighted to support what was already a really interesting application for multi-colour 3D printing, and with AMT’s vapour smoothing technology, we identified further scope for support – and our unique polypropylene material provided that.”