Rivelin Robotics and Solukon partner on Automated Post-Processing Solutions for Metal AM

The synergy of two technology companies could soon bring significant advances in the post-processing of metal-based additive manufacturing (AM). Rivelin Robotics and Solukon recently announced their collaboration to further develop automated post-processing solutions for metal AM applications.

Specifically, Solukon’s large-scale automated powder removal solution, SFM-AT800-S, will be matched with Rivelin’s precise and reliable robotic solutions for support removal and finishing using Rivelin Netshape software and Yaskawa EU robots. This partnership is driven by customer demands: Both companies identified specific challenges articulated by their customers. These include the need for robotic compressed air blasting, localized and targeted vibration to assist in de-powdering large parts, and robotic sensing solutions to verify airflow in cleaned ducts.

“We’re thrilled to hit the ground running at Formnext with our partner, Solukon. This isn’t just another trade show for us; it marks a year since we debuted, and we’ve made some significant strides. Our Rivelin NetShape Robots have gone from blueprint to reality, and alongside Solukon, we’re crafting automated solutions for post-processing metal AM parts—exactly what the industry’s been calling for. It’s all about delivering real value, and we’re doing it in spades.” said Robert Bush, CEO of Rivelin Robotics.

According to Andreas Hartmann, CEO / CTO at Solukon Maschinenbau: “One trend that is emerging in additive manufacturing is that the internal channels and cavities of parts are getting even more complex. Our aerospace customers in particular have exceptionally high requirements and often work with sticky behaviour materials like copper that require advanced automated depowdering.

With programmable rotation, targeted vibration and thanks to our SPR-Pathfinder software without any human programming efforts, we also get the aerospace parts powder-free with our Solukon technology in a reliable and repeatable way. A very useful task for an integrated robot in our SFM-AT800-S is a channel cleanliness check with blowing or the removal of powder deposits from the surface of the  components. We are very glad to have found this experienced partner for automated finishing in Rivelin.”

The concrete outlook of this development can be seen directly at Formnext, where Rivelin Robotics in Hall 12.0, Booth #E41 and Solukon, neighboring on Booth #D42, will present their innovations. A step that represents for both companies the practical proof of their developed concepts and opens a view into the future of metal processing in 3D printing.