Renishaw to Unveil PlusPac Upgrade for Their AM250 Additive Manufacturing Machine

Renishaw will be featured at TCT Show + Personalize this year with a new upgrade and many of their products in full force. Held from September 30th to October 2nd in Birmingham, UK, TCT Show + Personalize has been an ongoing annual event for 20 years. In 2014 almost 10,000 attendees from over 50 countries will visit. It draws a multitude of event goers from the ground up – from novice users and individuals just becoming interested in 3D design and manufacturing technology to industry leaders.

As one of those ‘industry leaders,’ Renishaw will be in attendance highlighting its new PlusPac upgrade for its flagship product—the AM250 additive manufacturing laser melting machine. The PlusPac upgrade is available either as an upgrade option with new machines, or can be retrofitted to existing machines. This package is used for systems requiring faster process rates and cleaner process environments. ‘Faster’ comes in the form of the new Optical Control Software (OCS) used to control the optical functions of the AM250. This software offers a host of features, including:

• Increased build rate
• Increased precision
• Tighter control
• Improved reproducibility
• Improved calibration and machine set up

‘Cleaner’ comes in the form of the gas knife lens window protection system, where the gas flow reacts as a barrier to the build up of process emissions on the window. The high capacity gas filtration system helps keep the environment clean and allows fewer filter changes.

Also on display will be their Equator versatile gauging system which uses a 3D scanning probe to inspect manufacturing parts far more quickly and more accurately—as well as their vacuum casting systems which allow parts to be made that are similar to injection moulded and high volume metal die cast parts, but can be produced more quickly.

A UK-based company that’s been in business since 1973, Renishaw entered the 3D-printing business ten years ago. Their ‘flagship product,” the AM250 is definitely a pride and joy, offering production of dense metal objects widely used for:

• custom dental and medical implants
• lightweight aerospace and motorsports parts
• efficient heat exchangers
• injection moulding inserts with conformal cooling channels

Renishaw stands out as the only manufacturer of a metal based additive manufacturing machine in the UK. Established in 1973 by David McMurtry (now Sir David McMurtry), Chairman and Chief Executive, and John Deer, now Deputy Chairman. Renishaw is a world leader in industrial metrology, specializing in additive manufacturing and also large scale metrology and surveying, motion control, and styli for probe systems. They also specialize in supplying products to the healthcare industry.

Renishaw houses 60 offices in 32 countries, with 94% of their sales made outside the UK. They have won numerous awards, including fifteen Queen’s Awards, recognizing technological achievement, export achievement, and enterprise (innovation).

Are you interested in attending TCT Show + Personalize at the end of this month, or any other interesting trade shows going on? Share your thoughts with us in the Renishaw PlusPac forum thread at 3DPB.com.