WCA November 2022

Technology News

Targeting new additive manufacturing opportunities at airshow A UK manufacturer of round, flat and profile wire headed to Farnborough International Airshow in July with a new offer for component makers. Alloy Wire International (AWI), which has been AS9100-accredited since 2013, is now selling its exotic nickel alloy wire to the 3D printing industry, as more suppliers recognise the demand for cost effective rapid production of parts. The company can manufacture its wire for wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM), a process that produces near net shape components that require less machining, wasting less material than conventional methods. It can also pro vide quicker lead times than conventional forging or casting without the need for complex tooling, moulds or dies. Angus Hogarth, R&D director at AWI, commented, “It’s all about finding that manufacturing difference and additive manufacturing is a discipline the aero- space manufacturers are increasingly investing in. We were confident we could play a role in 3D printing and, after months of R&D and technical reviews, we see our business as being a strong expanded its range of three-phase Compact power supplies to include two versions with 120W (5A) and 240W (10A). The Compact power supplies are durable 24V DC power packs with an efficiency level in excess of 92 per cent. Both power supplies feature low power loss and low heat generation. The integrated Power Boost function means that higher peak loads can be bridged briefly. The two power supplies have a wide input range – 350-575V AC – and also allow parallel operation with active load balancing. The width of just 55mm allows the Lütze power supplies to fit into any control cabinet, even in tight spaces. The two three-phase power supplies are specifically optimised for easy installation

AWI promoted its wire for WAAM at Farnborough

spools or straight bars within a range of 0.025 to 21mm (0.001" to 0.827"). Delegates were also able to explore the recent introduction of Inconel 617®, a nickel-chromium-cobalt-molybdenum alloy with an addition of aluminium. AWI sales executive Paul Chatterley said, “This is our latest addition to a 60+ range of alloys and delivers a combination of increased strength and stability at elevated temperatures (up to 1,100°C/2,012°F), whilst retaining the high temperature resistance of Inconel alloy 601.” Inconel 617’s high nickel and chromium content makes it resistant to a variety of both reducing and oxidising media, as well as achieving comparable corrosion resistance to Inconel 625. Alloy Wire International www.alloywire.com assignment on circuit diagrams and in EPLAN-macros. The power supplies are simply clicked onto TS35 DIN mounting rails. QR codes on the front link directly to relevant equipment documents. A remote function allows the power supplies to be switched on and off remotely, to reduce energy consumption. Data about the state can be issued and queried via a status output. With an aluminium casing, the power supplies are protected against mechanical stresses (IP 20). The Lütze Compact power supplies feature various national and international approvals, including CE, UKCA, UL 61010 1 and UL 61010-2-201. Friedrich Lütze GmbH www.luetze.de

supplier of exotic nickel alloy wire to the growing additive manufacturing sector.” Alloy Wire International tends to be a fourth-tier supplier to the aerospace market, with its material manufactured into components that are integral to aircraft structures, in instrumentation and high-performance engines. The company’s wire and straight bars, which are produced at its factory in the UK’s West Midlands, are made into springs, fire detection wire, fasteners and electrical instruments, and are all manufactured to work at high temperatures and/or in corrosive gases or liquids. Visitors to the airshow had the opportunity to talk with AWI’s R&D and sales personnel to discuss new projects, prototype work and supply chain agility, with orders able to be made in coils,

Powerful power supplies Automation specialist Lütze has

and maintenance. In addition to tool free push-in connectors, both have defined connection terminals for precise

Lütze’s range of Compact power supplies has been expanded

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November 2022