Arcam files new patent applications for powder manufacture process
November 30, 2015
Arcam has announced that its metal powder manufacturing subsidiary, AP&C, based in Montreal, Canada, has recently filed two strategic patent applications. The first covers high-yield production of fine powder from reactive metals with a low gas to metal ratio and low gas pressure. The second covers improved metal powder flowability.
AP&C uses proprietary technology for plasma atomisation. The first strategic patent application covers the use of plasma atomisation on different heated metal sources such as wire, rod and melt. AP&C’s technology allows high yield production of fine powder for all Additive Manufacturing distributions and without ceramic contamination risk.
“The production yield is one of the key drivers to produce powder at low cost. The combination of high-yield of fine powder with a low gas to metal ratio of about 10 is unique to AP&C’s proprietary plasma atomisation process,” stated Jacques Mallette, President of AP&C.
The company’s second strategic patent application covers a method to obtain optimal flowability of fine reactive metals powder for Additive Manufacturing. The patent covers all principal reactive metals powder production methods including plasma atomisation, other gas atomisation processes, plasma spheroidisation and plasma rotating electrode. The invention allows obtaining the highest level of flowability for all Additive Manufacturing powder distributions.
“High and repeatable flowability is a key metal powder attribute allowing for the optimal production of quality parts using Additive Manufacturing technology,” added Mallette.
