For some years now, the revolutionary technology of powder bed fusion has completely changed the manufacturing industry. That is because it brought its many benefits to the players in the industry, bringing changes to the way that they work. Here are some of the important advantages that this technology has brought forth.
PBF Has Improved Production Efficiency
Any new technology that can save time for companies is one that will find its place easily on the market. That is the main reason why PBF (power bed fusion) additive manufacturing has gained so much space in the industry, over the last few years. This technology can significantly reduce production time since multiple parts can be manufactured simultaneously on a single build platform. Therefore, it reduces the need for multiple set-ups and changeovers during the production process.
The company can also create any number of prototypes that it wants, in order to get to a final version of a product, one that they will find satisfying. Prior to these advancements, molds would have had to be created first, which were not only expensive, but also time consuming. It also explains why many customers call upon companies that specialize in metal additive manufacturing machines, in order to acquire the means to create and produce the pieces they need by themselves. They choose this road instead of having to wait in line behind other customers for their prototypes to be prepared first and then placed on a calendar before production can be initiated.
PBF Helps to Create Complex and Customized Designs
To understand what power bed fusion technology can do, you need to understand the way that it works. It offers a layer-by-layer approach to build objects, which enables it to be much more complex than the traditional manufacturing process. Plans of the product are inserted into the software of the machine, and it does the rest by melting metal and placing the liquid wherever it needs to go in order to grow and finalize the object. This enables manufacturers with PBF machines to produce intricate and unique products, previously difficult or impossible to manufacture.
A Larger Choice of Material Options
PBF is also known as laser melting. Its technique is very similar to a 3D printer that uses plastics to create objects, except that it does so while using a variety of metals. The capacity to use different material properties helps manufacturers to develop products with require specific characteristics. Some may be produced to be extremely resistant to outside forces, while others may withstand higher levels of heat. At the other end of the scope, other objects may require flexibility, and the machine can account for all these requirements, thanks to its capacity to reproduce designs with very few limitations.
A Machine That Is Environmentally Friendly
One of the problems decried by environmentalists is that there is too much waste in the world. The traditional manufacturing plants have been known to be an issue in that regards, but PBF also comes to the help of society in terms of reducing the waste that the machine produces. That is because, with powder bed fusion technology, only the necessary amount of raw material is used to fabricate the desired object.
Long-term Cost Savings
In truth, acquiring powder bed fusion technology is an important investment. However, it offers long-term cost savings due to a variety of factors which include reduced material waste, increased production efficiency, and the ability to create complex designs to start with. This eliminates the need for assembly or additional components. It is no wonder that this technology keeps taking over more and more markets in the manufacturing industry, today.
