Optomec announced availability of more than two dozen starter recipes to help customers speed implementation of additive manufacturing solutions. Developed by Optomec application experts, these recipes will help Optomec LENS and Aerosol Jet customers select and process proven materials best suited to meet their functional, performance and geometric requirements.
 
“These proven, pre-qualified recipes save weeks of trial and error while also enabling customers to fully leverage the advanced features of our printers to produce quality results,” said Ken Vartanian, VP of marketing at Optomec. “Over the years we have screened hundreds of materials from a variety of suppliers and now want to make this knowledge available to our customers. These printing recipes represent an important first step in our strategy to provide digital products that facilitate additive manufacturing capabilities from design through volume manufacturing.”
 
LENS Material Starter Recipes are developed by Optomec LENS application engineers and material scientists to help customers achieve optimal use of metal 3D printing with LENS. Each recipe provides detailed instructions covering powder feedstock characteristics, machine set-up and processing parameters, including laser power, powder feed rates and print speed for a variety of commercially-available powders, including materials such as stainless steel, titanium, inconel and tool steel.  

Geometry-specific recipes are available that are optimized for thin-wall, small-volume and large-volume structures. Data regarding expected results is provided, as samples produced by each recipe are tested for mechanical performance by an independent lab in accordance with ATM standards. Click here more information on LENS starter recipes.
 
For Aerosol Jet customers, material selection and optimization for specific applications can be a critical success factor. Aerosol Jet Starter Recipes are also created by Optomec experts and include information regarding ink types, substrate preparation, process set-up, and print parameters.

The recipes additionally present expected print results including line width, thickness and electrical, mechanical and environmental performance characteristics. Aerosol Jet Starter Recipes are available for conductive materials including multiple silver, copper and resistive inks as well as dielectric and adhesive materials, such as Dymax, Loctite, PEDOT, and Polyimide. Click here for more information on Aerosol Jet starter recipes.