The INSSTEK MX-Lab is an advanced platform specifically designed for alloy design and metal alloying research. It enables scientists and engineers to develop and optimize new metal alloys using Direct Energy Deposition (DED) technology. The machine provides precise control over material properties by allowing for experimentation with various metal powders and alloys, making it ideal for creating custom alloys tailored to specific applications.
Key Aspects of Alloy Design and Metal Alloying with MX-Lab:
Alloy Design: Researchers can design and fabricate custom alloys by controlling the composition and structure of the deposited materials. This flexibility enables the creation of alloys with enhanced mechanical properties, such as increased strength, hardness, or corrosion resistance, based on the specific requirements of the application.
Metal Alloying: The MX-Lab allows for metal alloying by combining different metallic elements during the DED process. With the Hexa-Feeding System, researchers can introduce multiple metal powders simultaneously, enabling the development of complex alloy compositions and functionally graded materials.
Features of MX-Lab
- Auto Z Adjustment: Automatically adjusts the distance between the sample and the nozzle to maintain a consistent Working Offset Position (WOP) of 9mm. This adjustment happens layer by layer during the deposition process, ensuring uniform and accurate builds.
- Laser Control: The laser power is automatically set based on NC-Code instructions, allowing precise control of the laser at the desired location for multi-material sample production. This ensures that the appropriate laser power is applied for different materials during the process.
- Auto Powder Calibration: The powder calibration, which was previously a manual process, is now automated. This improvement makes the process significantly faster, more convenient, and more precise, resulting in higher quality output with less manual intervention.
- Monitoring System: The MX-Lab Monitoring System oversees the printing process, providing real-time feedback and data extraction capabilities. This feature helps track and optimize the deposition process for better control and quality assurance.
- Material Designer Software: This software is dedicated to the MX-Lab and allows for advanced material composition design. It offers a user-friendly platform for setting up different alloy combinations and experimenting with material properties.
- 3D CAD-Free Software: The MX-Lab includes easy-to-use 3D CAD-free software that simplifies the process of setting compositions for various alloys. This self-developed CAM system allows for intuitive control and management of the DED process without the need for complex CAD designs.
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