LENS System
Optomec’s Additive Manufacturing solutions are spearheading the next generation in Electronics, Energy, Life Science and Aerospace/Defense manufacturing!
Optomec 450 LENS System
Optomec 450 LENS System LENS metal 3D printers are ideally suited to fabricate, enhance and repair high performance metal components used in Aerospace, Defense, Power Generation, and Medical device manufacturing industries. The LENS process cost-effectively builds 3-dimensional structures with excellent material properties from a wide range of metals, including titanium, stainless steel, nickel, cobalt and other engineering alloys. A number of LENS 3D printer configurations are available to meet your specific application requirements, including the entry-level LENS 450, the LENS MR-7 for research and development, and the LENS 850R production repair system.
How Does the LENS Process Work?
Optomec’s industry-leading LENS (Laser Engineered Net Shaping) 3D printers are used to cost-effectively fabricate, enhance, and repair high-performance metal components in state-of-the-art materials such as titanium, stainless steel, and Inconel®. LENS deposition systems use the energy from a high-power laser to build up structures one layer at a time directly from powdered metals. The resulting fully functional 3-dimensional components have mechanical properties that are equivalent or superior to forged materials. LENS 3D printers can be used throughout the entire product lifecycle for applications ranging from Materials Research to Functional Prototyping to Volume Manufacturing. An additional benefit is its unique ability to add material to existing components for Service and Repair applications.
Click the video below to see how the LENS process works.
LENS Material Discovery Application – Develop New Materials!
It can take decades to develop a new material using conventional methods. Simulation techniques have advanced the state of the art, however material samples still need to be built and analyzed. Traditional manufacturing processes are costly, time-consuming and allow the researcher to evaluate just a single material chemistry at a time. Due to limited research funds, new fabrication techniques must be highly flexible to address a diverse set of research disciplines and industry applications. With LENS systems, material researchers have an ideal tool to address these needs. The LENS 450 System allows the materials researcher to rapidly produce novel materials with exceptional quality. With two powder feeders, the LENS 450 can be used to make complex alloy combinations in a single sample to speed material discovery.
LENS 450 Key Features
- Hermetically Sealed Class 1 Laser Enclosure
- 100 x 100 x 100 mm Process Work Envelop
- 3 Axis CNC Control System
- X,Y, Z gantry system
- Argon Atmosphere Purge System
- Integrated Powder Feeder
- 400 W IPG Fiber Laser
Applications
- Small Part Rapid Prototyping
- Small Part Repair
- Education Future AM Technologist
- Powder Quality Certification
Capabilities
- Direct from CAD to Part – no tooling
- Superior Material Properties – full functionality
- Near Net Shape build or repair – minimal finishing
- Low Heat Input – Low distortion and Heat Affected Zone
- High Efficiency Laser – Low cost of ownership
LENS in Education
The first delivery of the LENS 450 3D Printer was to the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Material Science at the University of Pittsburgh where it is used in their new Advanced Manufacturing education program. Professor C. Isaac Garcia stated, “Re-establishing America’s global competitiveness is dependent upon a new generation of technicians and engineers trained in advanced manufacturing technologies. The LENS 450 system is an excellent tool to conduct basic and applied research, and for training students on industry proven technology for metal Additive Manufacturing.”
For more information about Optomec Metal 3D Printers, call us at 1-800-338-2238 or email info@TECedu.com.