The market for electron beam powder bed fusion (E-PBF) systems is small but growing. The E-PBF sector, previously dominated by GE’s Arcam product line, now includes players backed by established companies including JEOL, Wayland Additive and Pro-Beam. Freemelt stands out not only because it has been in this space longer than these new entrants, but also because of its open architecture approach. With features such as a 6kW electron beam gun and bed temperatures of up to 1200°C, Freemelt systems are ideal for research institutes working on new materials and advanced 3D printing methods.
“The open architecture and the free parameterization of the beam properties make Freemelt ONE an ideal tool for research purposes,” said Professor Dr. Kalman Vad from Atomki.
When it comes to energy applications, Freemelt ONE is specifically optimized for materials that can withstand the extreme conditions found in nuclear reactors. For example, one of the core materials Freemelt focuses on is tungsten, known for its incredible heat resistance and radiation shielding capabilities. This makes Freemelt ONE an ideal partner for applications in fusion and fission reactors. Additionally, the printer’s unique periscope feature allows real-time monitoring of components as they are created. This exclusive feature of Freemelt technology could provide invaluable insights during the development process.
As one of Hungary’s leading institutions in atomic and nuclear physics, ATOMKI plans to use the Freemelt ONE in a range of applications, including surface science and surface topology. New surface structures and composite materials are created using a method called nonadiabatic alloying.
“We are pleased that the collaboration with MTA Atomki has now led to an order for our Freemelt ONE machine. “We are seeing increased activity and interest from the energy sector, and this order is an important step and validation of the value that Freemelt and additive manufacturing technology can bring to the energy transition,” said Daniel Gidlund, CEO of Freemelt. “An important part of our offering is that our customers can develop, evaluate and test material processes in our Freemelt ONE research machine and, when finished, seamlessly transfer these into large-scale production with our eMELT industrial machine.” We see this new order as one important milestone on our path to becoming a market-leading provider of metal 3D printing solutions.”
The rise of 3D printing in nuclear energy
As the world grapples with the challenges of reducing carbon emissions and rising fossil fuel prices, the resurgence of nuclear energy has become a topic of great interest. The limitations of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar have drawn attention to the stability that nuclear power can provide in an energy efficient system.
The nuclear energy industry, often viewed in terms of risk and high costs, is increasingly benefiting from advances in 3D printing technology. Various organizations, from universities to private companies, are using 3D printing to make nuclear energy more efficient and cost-effective.
For example, the University of Pittsburgh and companies like GE and Hitachi are working on projects specifically aimed at reducing the cost of additive manufacturing for nuclear energy. Siemens has successfully installed 3D printed parts in operating nuclear power plants, demonstrating the technology’s utility in maintenance and replacement. The Idaho National Lab and Argonne National Lab are exploring 3D printing for safety testing and fuel recycling, respectively. Researchers in China are also using 3D printing to develop components for fusion reactors.
These efforts show that 3D printing can optimize fluid transfer, reduce mass, and even reduce human error in the assembly process. 3D printing is therefore poised to have a transformative impact on an industry that is both technologically complex and critical to the global energy infrastructure. Freemelt’s technology enters this significant shift, offering solutions that could be critical in reshaping the industry.
For more information, visit www.freemelt.com
https://3dprint.com/303068/nuclear-researchers-to-use-freemelt-ebm-metal-3d-printer-for-materials/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=linkedin
