LFAM, FGF, and robotics... what exactly are we talking about?
3D printing from pellets meets robotics to deliver tangible benefits on parts and applications across sectors. With no limits in scale, shape or material, Caracol's LFAM technology enhances efficiency through continuity, flexiblity, and sustainability to your production.
15 May, 2024. 1 minute read
Learn what Large Format Additive Manufacturing is and understand key aspects such as robotics and FGF-based 3D printing technique. In this video, you will understand why Caracol’s LFAM platforms combine 6+ axes robotics with 3D printing, the reasons, and actions behind the development of an all-in-one solution integrating hardware and software to enhance efficiency, and the great advantages in terms of flexibility and sustainability of a modular solution such as Heron AM, to configure according to the specific application needs. Starting from pellets-form thermoplastic materials, LFAM can deliver tangible benefits to your industrial large-scale parts production.
Revolutionizing Industrial Manufacturing with Robotic Large Format Additive Manufacturing (LFAM)
In the realm of industrial technology, 3D printing has made remarkable strides, particularly in large-scale applications across diverse sectors like aerospace, automotive, energy, and construction. A key breakthrough in this arena is Robotic Large Format Additive Manufacturing (LFAM), a game-changing technology that merges 3D printing with robotic systems to create massive and intricate objects.
Understanding Robotic LFAM
Robotic LFAM integrates 3D printing processes with robotic movement support, enabling the production of objects at unprecedented scales beyond traditional 3-axis frameworks.
The synergy between additive manufacturing and robotics unlocks new possibilities. Industrial robots, with their varied sizes and arm extensions, facilitate the production of large, intricate parts with flexibility. Caracol's Heron AM platform allows for the integration of different robotic arms with varied printing heads, to suit specific customer needs. This cutting-edge approach allows for the creation of complex, large-scale parts—ranging from meters in size—essential for industries where part dimensions and production times are critical.
The Advantages of FGF 3D Printing
Robotic LFAM systems like Caracol's Heron AM platform utilize Fused Granulate Fabrication (FGF), an extrusion-based technology using thermoplastic pellets. FGF leverages cost-effective thermoplastics sourced from various materials, including composites and recycled plastics, emphasizing a circular economy approach. This method enables customization of material recipes for optimized 3D printing processes that ensure quality and efficiency in the LFAM process.
Flexibility and Simplified Programming
Robotic LFAM offers unparalleled flexibility in design and production. The anthropomorphic movements of robots enable the realization of daring shapes and geometries, expanding the potential of 3D printing technologies. Heron AM printing area and system configuration can be set according to the final applications’ dimensions; while Caracol's software solutions Eidos Manufacturing simplify robotics programming, ensuring seamless integration with the 3D printing process for efficient production.
Read more on how robotic LFAM is transforming the landscape of industrial manufacturing, offering scalability, efficiency, and sustainability at this link and connect with Caracol’s experts to explore the potential of large-scale additive manufacturing for your business.