Thursday, June 20, 2019
INETYX unveils the AMW300X Metal 3D printing process: A breakthrough innovation recognized by the 3D INNOVATION AWARD
When Patrick TEULET is asked about the motivations that led him to create a start-up in Auvergne in 2013 after having worked in an international company (Phenix Systems, sold that same year to the American 3D Systems), the answer comes without hesitation: "to continue a human, industrial and technological adventure. Enthusiasm that will be evident throughout the exchange!
INETYX (Innovation Energy and Technologies) was born in September 2013, but its activity did not begin until two years later, Patrick TEULET having been keen to accompany the Phenix Systems teams during this period for the smoothest possible integration within 3D Systems.
Once this mission was completed, he launched his project, which was to develop an innovative electrical generator that would function by recovering thermal energy available in the atmosphere. This is an ambitious project, and above all one that is 'time-consuming and investment-intensive', he stresses, 'and which also requires essential qualification phases'.
One of the strengths of INETYX in its 'start-up' configuration is to play on the complementarity of skills, to encourage close proximity between them in order to add ideas and different points of view with the ambition of always pushing back the limits of what is feasible. The team is made up of engineers specialising in mechanisms and systems, software development, control and testing.
During the development of this new electric generator, Patrick TEULET realised that he needed specific industrial means to manufacture high-performance micro-heat exchangers that the classic market offer did not provide.
This is how the evolution of the project led the company to develop a revolutionary 3D printer using laser micro-welding, which makes it possible to manufacture mechanical components in mono or multi materials.
This innovative process, proposed under the brand name AMW (Additive Micro Welding) and protected by patents, is based on the principle of micro-welding metal strips with a rectangular section by adding material layer by layer.
During the manufacturing process, access to the geometry of each section allows the object to be finished as it is made.
In contrast to known 3D printing processes involving the fusion of metal powders, the process is simpler to use and, in addition, limits the exposure of users and the environment to micro- and nano-particles of metal.
An independent study, carried out by the Tribology and System Dynamics Laboratory of the University of Lyon and ENISE and presented at the European Additive Manufacturing Conference in 2018, highlighted significant differences in finish quality between the AMW and SLM processes with, among other things, three times less roughness for INETYX technology.
Today INETYX is making this technology available on the market under the brand name AMW300X with a printing capacity of 300 x 300 x 300 mm.
- The unique level of precision of the printing process allows for new applications, sectors such as energy, space, aeronautics, plastics, etc. could indeed find many advantages:
- Quality of finish
- Dimensional accuracy
- Surface finish
- Increased performance of manufactured parts
- Concentration of finished shapes
- Production of single and multi-material objects
- Ergonomics of the process.
- Simplicity and speed of production launch
- Saving of raw material
- Reduction and/or elimination of post-processing finishing operations.
This breakthrough innovation did not escape the attention of the 3D PRINT INNOVATIVE TROPHY Jury, who awarded INETYX the 2019 Trophy at the show held in Lyon from 4 to 6 June.
To find out more about this event:
INETYX
Zone des Graviers
1 rue de l'Artisanat
63119 Châteaugay
Telephone: +33 4 73 14 38 80
https://www.inetyx.com/
Editor : Anne DE LANSALUT