b'Were strategically leveraging the unique benefits of 3D printing where it makes sense from a customer standpoint in order to solve specific challenges.Nonetheless, he said his companyproprietary sintering technology to3D-printed carbide components to can take advantage of additive manu- get properties equivalent to thosethe market and is working with cus-facturing capabilities to print carbideas the present compacting technol- tomers to develop novel solutions. rod preforms with radically changingogy, Varghese said. In addition, the company still is de-channels to ensure that coolant is di- Unlike the conventional press- ciding whether to release the pro-rected precisely to the cutting zoneing and sintering process in whichprietary 3D-printable carbide pow-and delivered with as little turbu- hollow-sphere granules break andder to the market.lence as possible directly at the tar- compact effectively, he explainedItsbeyondthebetatesting geted location. Printing unique chan- that no mechanical force is appliedpoint, he said, so it might be some-nel profiles, such as a peanut-shapedto 3D-printed granules in the greenthing we release in a few years.one, are also possible. body state. Therefore, HyperionRegardless, Varghese said 3D Developing the process for 3DMaterials & Technologies neededprinting has a place in the spectrum printing carbide required four parta method to fill in those pores, orof process technologies to produce steps and one modeling step tovoids, and achieved that by alter- cutting tools.predict shrinkage during sinter- ing the sintering cycle in terms ofIt definitely offers an opportu-ing, which might be symmetricaltemperature, time and some of thenity to take some of the cutting tool or asymmetrical based on part fea- pressures exerted. and wear component performance tures, Varghese explained. The firstThecompanyestablishedanto the next level, he said. It allows part was developing the powderR&D and manufacturing center inyou to engineer cutting tools with and making sure that it could flowBarcelona, Spain, six years ago tomuch more complex designs.CTEcorrectly through the nozzle to formwork on advanced materials and the green body and be sintered3D printing carbide. Varghese said into a dense body without porosity. wear resistance and hardness of the After a couple years of intense3D-printed carbide was only about work, he said, we can replicate60% and 60% to 70%, respectively, very faithfully the properties andof conventional carbide when the material quality of what we get fromproject started.the pressing and sintering. Right now, he said, we can Varghese said the second stepmake carbide with the same prop-was developing the printing tech- erties as conventional carbide.nology itself. In general, the binderVarghese said Hyperion Materi-jetting system builds a carbide partals & Technologies has launched layer by layer, with a binder holdingJust a bunch together the powder for the de- contributors of parts. sired part while the unbound bedQuickest way of powder is left behind. Hyperion Materials &to make these The third step involved handlingTechnologies was creating and cleaning the printed parts, he800-343-0636 a \x1fxture with said, so no remnant powder gran- www.hyperionmt.com a 10 angle to ules remain in complex internal cav- match the top face and !Hit it Kennametal Inc. with a face mill a ball mill would ities. A granule measures from 20 to800-835-3668 of taken ages!!70 m (0.0008" to 0.0028"). www.kennametal.comEvenonelittlegranulethatMelissa Ramos sticks on there and gets sinteredStanley X @m95machiningtotally alters what you want to do,860-225-5111Varghese said. www.stanleyx.comThe final part step was sinteringStar Cutter Co.the green body. 248-474-8200 WORKHOLDING SPECIALISTSWehadtodevelopawww.starcutter.com MiteeBite.com800-543-3580ctemag.com/cteguide.com21Additive.indd 21 11/15/22 12:20 PM'