New Technique Reduces Metal 3D Printing Waste
In the process of re-using powder for metal 3D printing, splattered metal, known as powder condensate, must be sieved out and disposed of. Now, the Additive Manufacturing Green Trade Association (AMGTA) has created a report outlining a new method from Sintavia and KBM Advanced Materials for rendering the material safe for transport and recycling. As a result, this waste can be shipped without polluting the ecosystem and then converted into new metal feedstock.
Out with the Old
Among its activities, AMGTA researches additive manufacturing (AM) practices to understand and improve its sustainability. Within this purview, 3D printing service bureau Sintavia examined its metal powder bed fusion (PBF) operations to minimize adverse environmental effects, specifically pollution from powder condensate.
Concept Laser metal 3D printer at Sintavia facilities. Image courtesy of Sintavia.
First of all, the solidified particles from metal alloy evaporation during the PBF process result in an additional waste stream. In order to keep limit the changes that the material might ignite, Sintavia mixes it with silicon oil and sand, thus passivating it. However, this makes it economically unfeasible to recover the metal powder and renders transportation dangerous.
In with the New
For this reason, Sintavia turned to a resin developed by KBM, which turns waste into a non-hazardous mixture that is easy to transport. The mixture reduces danger during transportation and improves the powder condensate’s recyclability.
The AMGTA created the passivation report to determine the sustainability levels of metal production and transportation, educating manufacturers on ways to reduce powder condensate pollution. This includes the collection of soot and material waste from passivation for processing.
The circular economy shrinks the gap between material mining and product manufacturing. It relies on recycled goods to reduce transportation emissions and ecosystem disruption. Minimizing pollution prevents climate change effects and environmental exploitation.
When Will KBM’s Material Hit the Market?
The passivation technology currently has a pending patent. The team expects the technology to transition out of the testing phase soon. Sintavia’s waste reduction technology may significantly improve manufacturing sustainability.
Subscribe to Our Email Newsletter
Stay up-to-date on all the latest news from the 3D printing industry and receive information and offers from third party vendors.
Print Services
Upload your 3D Models and get them printed quickly and efficiently.
You May Also Like
Understanding Failure and How to Avoid It: Lessons from Forensics and Predictive Analysis in AM
Forensics and predictive failure analysis play a critical role in the safe and effective adoption of additive manufacturing—especially as the technology enters more high-stakes industries. Understanding failure is, ironically, one...
3D Printed Aorta Model Helps Surgeons Remove “Ticking Time Bomb” Artery
Surgeons at The Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane, Australia, recently carried out an incredibly complex procedure after discovering that a patient’s aorta had expanded to about four times its normal...
3D Printing News Briefs, July 12, 2025: Nerve Repair, Glass Nanostructures, adidas, & More
In this weekend’s 3D Printing News Briefs, we’re starting with medical news from 3D Systems, and then moving on to research about glass nanostructures and synthetic lichen. Then, 3D printing...
How One Chilean Medtech Company Is Reinventing Reconstructive Surgery in Latin America
In the world of medical technology, breakthroughs often come from unexpected corners. Ilan Rosenberg, a Chilean specialist in maxillofacial prosthetics and founder of ArcomedLab, has established one of the most...
