The new TruPrint 1000 is particularly easy to operate // The entry-level system is designed for additive series production // Improved gas flow leads to particularly high productivity and quality

TRUMPF has equipped the new TruPrint 1000 for additive series production. "Thanks to smart automation, the new machine is twice as fast as its predecessor and is ideally suited for series production, for example in the dental industry or medical technology," says Mirko De Boni, Product Manager at TRUMPF. The high-tech company is showing the TruPrint 1000 at the leading trade fair for additive manufacturing, Formnext, in Frankfurt.

Multiplate improves series production

With the Multiplate function, users can make even better use of the TruPrint 1000 for series production. Users can stack up to four build plates on top of each other in the build cylinder, and the system prints components on them one after the other. "The TruPrint 1000 can produce all night without a worker having to be present. Users save a lot of time and therefore costs," says De Boni. At just around 80 centimetres wide, the machine takes up very little space and fits through a standard door. Even in small production halls, users can have several machines producing side by side in parallel and speed up their series production even further.

For example, the dental industry can use the TruPrint 1000 to produce dental prostheses, i.e. crowns, bridges and also cast models, from the alloys cobalt chrome or titanium. The system is also suitable for medical technology manufacturers or prototype construction in many other industries.

Interchangeable cylinder principle speeds up production

With an exchange kit, the user can quickly and easily change the build, powder and overflow cylinders of the TruPrint 1000. The filters are easily accessible on the side of the machine. The user can change them quickly. "This means that a material change, such as from cobalt chrome to titanium, can be completed in just 15 to 20 minutes," says De Boni. Brushes and gloves are integrated into the machine. Without opening the door, the user can clean the additively manufactured components and unpack the build job. "This is a big advantage. If powder swirls up, machine operators cannot contaminate themselves with the material," says the product manager.

Improved gas flow makes system fast and reliable

TRUMPF has improved the flow of the shielding gas during the production process. "Thanks to the primary and secondary flow, the work area remains clean even after several construction jobs and the protective glass does not become contaminated. This is also true when processing tool steel, which is actually prone to heavy fuming," says De Boni. If the protective glass does get dirty, the machine operator can remove and clean it in a few easy steps. The sophisticated gas flow also ensures a consistent production process, as the required laser power always reaches the powder. Thanks to the clean working environment, users can apply higher layer thicknesses. This increases the productivity of the system and improves the quality of the additively manufactured components.

TruPrint 1000 also prints with two lasers

The TruPrint 1000 works particularly quickly and reliably. In the Multilaser version, the system has two lasers. The special feature: Both lasers can process the entire construction panel. "With two lasers we can improve productivity even more," says De Boni. The TruPrint 1000 also uses the so-called Beamexpander to automatically adjust the spot diameter of the laser to the respective construction job. The spot diameter is 55 or 80 microns, depending on the application. The wider spot enables higher productivity. Users can use the 55 micrometre spot when special powders require a higher energy density.
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