Robotic Additive Manufacturing Platform for 3-D Printing Composite Parts
March 1, 2016
Arevo Labs has introduced a scalable robot-based additive manufacturing (RAM) platform for fabricating 3-D printed composite parts.
The platform consists of a standard commercially available robot, composite deposition end-effector hardware and a comprehensive software suite. Arevo's solution is tailored to ABB's smallest 6-axis robot, the IRB 120, though the scalable software can support larger ABB robot models and sizes. The additive end-effector hardware consists of a deposition head with thermal management technology for processing high-performance carbon-fiber reinforced thermoplastic filaments.
Arevo's software suite includes:
- CAM software to convert CAD models to a set of additive deposition instructions for the robot. Software is capable of 6° of freedom, enabling true 3-D additive manufacturing.
- A kinematics simulator that interprets deposition instructions to validate and optimize part construction.
Arevo Labs' RAM Platform interfaces with ABB's RobotStudio programming and simulation software to ease tool path generation from CAD files.
The platform's multi-axis toolpaths help enable production quality parts constructed with true 3-D surfaces in variable orientations. "The resulting parts have strength and aesthetics superior to those made with conventional Cartesian based additive manufacturing equipment and software," said a company spokesperson.
In addition to expanded design possibilities, the Arevo Labs' RAM Platform is designed to maximize size scalability and production efficiency. Key enabling technologies include automation and secondary process integration within manufacturing work cells. Depending upon the size of the robot, the part build envelope is scalable from 1,000 mm3 to 8 m3.
"Our ABB IRB120 robot is suited for the RAM Platform, offering the high precision and repeatability required for 3-D printed parts for end-use applications. We are glad to see ABB's robot performance and capabilities being fully utilized with Arevo Labs' software in printing true 3-D surfaces," said Nicolas De Keijser, New Applications Business Line Manager at ABB.
Arevo Labs' RAM Platform can be seen on YouTube at youtu.be/67x9dhrJlgw.
For more information contact:
Arevo Labs
2960 Scott Boulevard
Santa Clara, CA 95054
408-780-3993
info@arevolabs.com
www.arevolabs.com
ABB Robotics, Inc.
1250 Brown Road
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
248-391-8622
www.abb.com/robotics
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