A4 - Large-Scale Industrial Metal 3D Printer

Introducing ANiMA A4

The ANiMA A4 is an industrial 3D printer designed for producing large, precise components across a range of industries. The system has been optimized by European engineers, reflecting the growing momentum of advanced manufacturing and additive technologies within the European industrial ecosystem. With a build volume of 420mm x 420mm x 500mm, it is well-suited for manufacturing complex parts. Its double-fiber laser system allows for faster processing and accurate results, while its compatibility with the AFS simplifies powder handling by automating the process. The addition of the AFS metal powder circulation unit further improves efficiency by sieving and recycling unused powder automatically. This reduces the need for manual handling and limits exposure to materials, making the workspace safer and cleaner.

The ANiMA A4 is used in industries such as aerospace, where it produces components like structural brackets, fuel manifolds, and heat exchangers. In automotive manufacturing, it is used to make parts such as engine housings and exhaust systems. In the energy sector, it helps produce turbine blades and pump impellers. The printer is also used for industrial tooling, such as creating jigs, fixtures, and molds.

Technical Advantages

• High Accuracy: Achieves up to 0.05 mm, ensuring precise manufacturing.

• Efficient Optical Scanning: High-speed scanning galvanometer with adjustable beam diameter (0.06–0.20 mm) enhances productivity.

• High-Quality Components: Built with high-quality components such as IPG Laser, Max Photonics Laser, Scanlab Galvos, Siemens PLCs, and Omron sensors.

• Open Parameters - Open Materials: More than 200 parameters are available to users, allowing full customization.

• Open Software: Supports GCode editing and custom parameter adjustments for enhanced control.

Building Functional Metal Parts

The printer excels in directly producing functional complex geometric parts such as snap-fit or loose joint hinges, offering versatility and precision in its output. It accommodates a wide range of materials, including metal powders that can be single metals or alloys, providing flexibility to meet various application requirements.

Particularly suitable for manufacturing single parts or small batches of functional components, it caters to diverse industries, including industrial production, prototyping, research, dental, and medical fields. With its ability to deliver intricate and high-quality prints efficiently, the printer serves as an indispensable tool for producing critical parts and prototypes with exceptional accuracy and reliability.

Printing in SLM

SLM is a 3D printing technology that uses metallic powder to print metal objects instantly.

During printing, a coating mechanism (the recoater) spreads a layer of metallic powder on the printing plate, and a powerful laser beam selectively melts the powder of the current layer. After the fusion is complete, the printing platform is moved down one layer, and the process is repeated until the entire object is fused. The whole process is carried out in a chamber with a shielding gas to prevent the metal from reacting with other gases at high temperatures.

The main advantage of SLM technology is that it offers many new options in manufacturing metal parts, such as geometric freedom in design, weight reduction, flexibility in prototyping, and speed in producing metal objects in small quantities.

ANiMA's 5 Core Pillars