Powder Handling and Flow for Additive Manufacturing 2022

Course content

Metal and Plastic Powders in the AM process:

• Recycle and quality issues;
• Contamination and Oxidation issues;
• Standards for AM Powders
• Key H&S issues

Basic introduction to handling processes:

• Hoppers for storage and discharge; flow patterns, principles of reliable flow
• Powder flow properties;
• Pneumatic conveying; key components, features and operating issues;
• Fluidisation;

Characterisation and control of powder properties

• Powder flowability/spreadability measurements;
• Environmental effects;
• Density measurements and particle morphology

Basic overview of powder evolution and quality loss

Quality Considerations

• Sampling
• Control of flow properties;
• Segregation in processes
• Particle aggregation;
• Powder electrostatics;
• Particle degradation

Format

The first couple of sessions will provide a basic introduction to the subject, leading to in depth studies on  quality considerations later in the course. Presentations and demonstrations (where appropriate) will be used to illustrate key points with time for discussion built in.

Why should you attend?

If you work in powder-based AM processing you will find this course to be invaluable as you are guided through the critical aspects of powder handling and management. You do not need any previous formal training to attend, you just need to work in this relatively new field of processing. It will also be extremely useful if you are about to change career direction to AM processing.