SLAMFunc Progress

Z-axis dogbones produced

Two recent builds have yielded a quantity of dogbone specimens for both tensile and torsion testing purposes. The builds were aligned in the z-axis. The first build cut-out due to laser back reflection near the end of the tensile specimens gauge lengths, which was frustrating to say the least! However the build was successfully ‘rewound’ and re-started, although there are clear ‘witness marks’ where this re-start occurred. An initial batch of tensile tests will be carried out shortly thus formally getting the initial project benchmarking exercise underway.

y-axis dogbone success!

after a couple of set-backs we have finally got the machine to settle down and build us a plate of dogbone (dumbell) tensile test specimens! These were laid out in the y-axis (front-rear build bed orientation). The material is stainless 316. Just got to find the time to wrench them off the baseplate and test them now!

This build was completed towards the end of last week. We are waiting on a z-axis build packet to finish later today.

MCP Realizer working again!

The Beam Expander has returned from Germany and has been kindly refitted by Kev. After a number of calibration tests it has been confirmed that we are now ready to start benchmarking the system. Over the next few weeks the system will be used produce tensile test pieces which will then be tested by Exeter in order to determine the current benchmark for the equipment and process.

Beam expander returned

The beam expander for the MCP Realizer has been returned for repair / replacement as a suspect for the poor build quality of parts currently being produced.  Layers fail to stick together and parts peel up easily.  After running a focus test it was decided that the beam expander needed looking at and so has been shipped to MCP for further analysis.  Building cannot continue until the part returns.

Build issues

Trying to create some simple dog bones that work. Things keep peeling up from the base. No strength in melted powder. Looking into material file used tomorrow.