WAAM3D, a manufacturer of metal printing systems, presented a new compact 3D printer for wire arc welding (WAAM) at the TCT 3Sixty. The MiniWAAM complements the large RoboWAAM series and is intended to open up new areas of application for large-format 3D metal printing.
The compact WAAM system uses the proprietary end effector, sensor and software technology of WAAM3D, but is offered at a lower price than the RoboWAAM line. Target groups are users for process development, metallurgical characterization, production of test samples and for testing new wire compositions and sensors.
According to CEO Dr. Filomeno Martina, the MiniWAAM is intended to make the advantages of the metal printing process accessible to an even broader target group. The MiniWAAM does not require robot arms and instead relies on a three-axis overhead CNC system and a 500 mm rotary table with a payload of 60 kg. The installation space measures 800 x 800 x 600 mm. Two independently controllable wire feeds allow for higher application rates or in-situ alloys.
The integrated sensor system corresponds to the large RoboWAAM model. A ShapeTech interferometry sensor monitors the application quality in real time, while a double-point thermometry system ensures constant printing conditions. The software developed in-house by WAAM3D controls component preparation, process parameters and the digital image of the 3D print.
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