Dimensionics Density to showcase its automatic density determination technology ideal for dynamic additive manufacturing

Dimensionics Density will exhibit its automatic density determination technology at Formnext in Frankfurt, Germany. The event will mark the first time people will see the technology in action. Additionally, the measuring and testing technology provider will allow event attendees to ask about specific application requirements before the show, with engineers willing to answer questions face-to-face at the event.

Key information:

• Dimensionics Density will showcase its automatic density determination technology at Formnext in Germany.
• The technology is said to be ideal for dynamic additive manufacturing production settings and will help fulfil the increasing need for automation in production lines.
• Formnext will represent the first time the technology will be available for the general public to see, with engineers on hand to answer questions regarding specific applications.

According to the technology’s developer, the density determination technology is ideally suited for dynamic additive manufacturing (AM) production settings. As production lines continue to move towards increased automation, Dimensionics’ density determination technology helps fulfil this need, especially as AM is continuing to become a recognised, viable method of production. Additionally, the technology is also non-destructive, meaning it can verify parts to prove they conform with density requirements, with improved speed, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness.

“We are really very excited to be at Formnext this year, this show being the first since we have made our density determination technology available to the AM sector. Attendees at our booth will be able to see the technology in action, and we really encourage attendees to reach out before the event with application-specific questions which we can analyse and discuss with them while watching our technology work at the show,” said Philipp Pruesse, Head of Sales at Dimensionics Density. “Automation is of paramount importance in the AM process chain as it not only enhances efficiency but also ensures consistency and precision at every stage of production. From design optimisation to material handling, post-processing, and of course validation, automation streamlines workflows, reduces human error, and accelerates production cycles, making AM a more and more viable production technology. For us, the role of validation and quality control is critical, as AM's unique layer-by-layer fabrication process demands rigorous testing and inspection protocols to guarantee the structural integrity and performance of printed parts, especially when employed in industries like aerospace and healthcare, where safety and reliability are paramount. Our density determination technology is a ground-breaking technology which reinforces the ability to reliably test the density of AM produced parts, and thus reinforces the disruptive position of AM in modern production settings.”

AM is continuing to establish itself as a production technology which allows for design freedom, traditional density determination technologies (e.g., micrographs, computed tomography (CT), and the manual Archimedes method) have been proven to be more difficult to use. In comparison, Dimensionics Density’s solutions can easily determine the density of freeform parts and highly complex AM parts. The technology can measure density repeatability to 0.001 g/cm³, as it combines the Archimedes method with modern automation technology, which eliminates issues related to manual intervention as well as environmental conditions.

“On the Dimensionics Density system, samples to be measured are placed in a special component carrier, which is provided with openings on the underside. These component carriers are transported through the system by an axis robot and thus lowered centrally and precisely onto the scales. On the scales themselves, a lift-out rack with pins is placed, which lifts the component over the openings in the component carrier and thus lifts the component out of the carrier,” said Pruesse. “The automated handling eliminates human influence on the measurement, as the parts are always placed identically onto the scales.  The scales are designed to be insulated from vibration. In addition, all ambient conditions such as temperature, air pressure, and water temperature, are recorded via climate sensors, and their influence on the measurement result is taken into account directly in the evaluation algorithm when determining the density.”