Additive manufacturing : powder analysis, testing and expertise
The 6NAPSE Group supports manufacturers in the characterization of powders for additive manufacturing.
Laboratory expertise for the Industry of 3D printing and Additive Manufacturing
Additive manufacturing is the fusion of different layers of material powders (metal, polymers, ceramics) by a laser or an electron beam, until the desired final part is created. Indeed, this technology today represents a new manufacturing process used by many industrial sectors expecting a very high level of reliability such as:
- Aerospace (turbines)
- Automotive (from city car to utility)
- Transport (plane, train, bus, boat, sea, river, autonomous shuttle)
- Sport and leisure / NVEI (bicycle, scooter, etc.)
- Defense and Security (drone, stealth)
- Housing and building (houses or other buildings)
- Appliances / home automation
- Medical (bio-printing, prostheses, etc.)
- Portable tools
Powder characterization
Control of metal powders, polymers, etc.
In order to ensure the performance and quality of parts produced by metal additive manufacturing, the characterization of powders, granular products and raw materials is essential data for manufacturers.
- Particle size analysis: study of the size distribution of powders carried out by laser granulometry (ISO 13320)
- Morphology analysis: by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM-EDX) and by optical microscopy the themes of sphericity, satellitage or contaminant (ISO 9276-6).
- Physical characterization of powders: flowability (by Hall/Carney cone to determine bulk density) and density (tapped/tapped density)
- Chemical analysis of powders: chemical composition of powders and chemical analysis by ICP (ICP-MS and ICP-AES)
Testing and simulation
Test your 3D printed products in conditions
- Climatic testing: resistance of products or parts over time
- Hot-cold-humidity
- Fluid Susceptibility
- Salt spray corrosion tests
- UV tests: resistance to sunlight
- Control of surface coatings
- Vibration testing
- Acoustic testing
- Mechanical testing
- Failure expertise (breakage, crack, corrosion, sticking, etc.)
- Simulation
- Production line expertise
- R&D support for Additive Manufacturing
Application cases
- Morphology of powders for recyclability study in the context of metal additive manufacturing
- Analysis of plastic products from 3D printing
- Study of operational deformation by non-destructive method
- Calculation and mechanical simulation of an 3D printed part
6NAPSE Group assets:
- A laboratory specializing in chemical analysis
- Large material database
- Our technical experts are available to discuss your analytical needs, with the appropriate benchmarks and standards.
Contact us to discuss your needs quickly and technically!