Research project aims to reduce powder filling time by 50%
March 28, 2012
The Enterprise Europe Network is seeking potential partners for a collaborative research project to further develop and commercialise a concept for decreasing the die filling time in metal powder compaction by 50% thereby allowing increased part production.
The original concept was developed in France at a research laboratory with extensive experience in powder metallurgy, and involves a die filling system using a specific rotating screw.
Thanks to this screw, the powder does not fall directly into the mould by gravity but is projected against the mould walls, thereby improving its dispersion and the density homogeneity of the green part.
It is also possible to reduce the mass dispersion of the piece by filling the mould with a system assigning a specific powder weight and not a volume. Finally, it is possible to fill the mould with two powders without mixing them.
The die filling system is said to require only half the time of conventional die filling systems, and is said to offer not only improved shape and weight reproducibility, but also better density homogeneity of the sintered parts.
The technology is said to be adaptable to existing industrial presses by replacing traditional filling devices, and is applicable to a range of metal, ceramic and cemented carbide powders. It also claims to reduce dusting in the powder compacting area.
The research project has the reference 12FR33k1 30DS and further information can be obtained from regional Enterprise Europe Network offices.
www.enterprise-europe-network.ec.europa.eu
Edited by: Paul Whittaker, Editor ipmd.net, [email protected]
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