Sciaky's Giant 3D metal printer available in September, producing parts up to 19' lengths

Sciaky, Inc., a subsidiary of Phillips Service Industries (PSI) and providers of additive manufacturing solutions for large-scale, high-value metal parts, announced today that it will be offering its electron beam additive manufacturing (EBAM) systems for purchase, which will be available as early as September 1, 2014.

Sciaky is a worldwide leader in additive manufacturing technology and electron beam welding solutions. Sciaky launched its Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing (AM) process in 2009 with the objective to save manufacturers time and money on the production of large-scale, high-value metal parts and prototypes. Sciaky's process is capable of producing parts up to 19 feet in length, made of high-value metals like titanium, tantalum, stainless steel, and Inconel.

 

Sciaky has predominantly offered its technology as a service-only option to manufacturers and several high profile research and development (R&D) projects involving the U.S. Air Force, Lockheed Martin, DARPA and Boeing.

How does Sciaky's Additive Manufacturing process work?

Sciaky's AM process has a standard build envelope of 19' x 4' x 4' (L x W x H). Starting with a 3D model from a CAD program, Sciaky's fully-articulated, moving electron beam welding gun deposits metal (via wire; also known as Electron Beam Free Form Fabrication), layer by layer, until

the part is built and ready for minor finish machining. Deposition rates typically range from 7 to 20 lbs/hr, depending upon part geometry and the material selected, Sciaky explained.

The large build envelope allows manufacturers to produce very large parts and structures, with virtually no waste. As a result, manufacturers can drastically reduce material costs, lead times and machining time, when compared to traditional manufacturing methods.

According to Sciaky, the company's additive manufacturing process can:

• Drastically reduce your material costs
• Dramatically shorten your lead times
• Slash machining time by as much as 80%
• Save money over costly forgings
• Eliminate wait time for dies, molds and expensive billet

"Manufacturers, for the first time, will be able to utilize Sciaky's revolutionary additive manufacturing technology to produce production parts and prototypes in their own facility," said Mike Riesen, general manager of Sciaky, Inc. "The possibilities are endless."

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