Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB)
Maker: Electro Optical Systems GmbH
Model: EOS M 290
Function: This robust, repeatable additive manufacturing system uses a 400-watt fiber laser to selectively melt and fuse pre-defined areas of subsequent layers of powder. The system is used for PBF-LB of advanced materials for nuclear, energy, defence, aerospace, and space applications.
Laser Beam Directed Energy Deposition (DED-LB)
Maker: Liburdi Automation Inc.
Model: Liburdi LAWS-250 Gen 2
Function: This Made-in-Canada DED-LB system uses both wire and powder feedstocks for additive manufacturing of advanced metallic, ceramic, and functionally-graded materials. The system builds a component by either sintering or fully melting the material as it is deposited on a specified surface using a focused laser.
Binder Jetting (BJ)*
Maker: ExOne
Model: Innovent+
Function: Industrial printhead selectively deposits a binding agent to trace a component in thin layers of powder particles. The printed component is cured, removed from the loose powder bed, and finally sintered to remove the binding agent and densify the component.
* This printer belongs to Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing – Technology Access Centre (CIM-TAC).
Planetary Ball Mill
Maker: Fritsch/Laval Lab Inc.
Model: Fritsch Pulverisette 5 Planetary Mill
Function: This ball mill machine uses centrifugal forces for mixing, homogenizing, fine grinding, mechanical alloying, and controlling the particle size distribution of feedstock powders used in laser AM techniques and other manufacturing and coating processes. This machine is used for developing new AM powder feedstock for various applications in industry.
Vibratory Sieve Shaker
Maker: Retsch GmbH
Model: AS 200 DIGIT CA
Function: This sieve shaker is used for sieving and controlling the particle size distribution (PSD) of the powder feedstock, measuring the quantitative PSD of powders, and eliminating agglomerated powder particles.
Wet Separator
Maker: Electro Optical Systems GmbH
Model: MX360 EX
Function: This wet separator is used to clean up metal powders from the AM machines, particularly for reactive materials.
Dilatometer
Maker: Netzsch
Model: DIL 402 Expedis® Select
Function: This dilatometer is used for measuring the dimensional changes in material as a function of temperature and the coefficient of thermal expansion of fabricated parts.
Hot Mounting Press
Maker: MetLab
Model: Metpress A
Function: An automatic, electro-hydraulic mounting press used to encapsulate material specimens in thermosetting or thermoplastic resins. Equipped with programmable temperature, pressure, and cooling controls, it delivers highly consistent, perfectly cured mounts with excellent edge retention for streamlined downstream preparation.
Precision Cutter
Maker: MetLab
Model: Metcut 8
Function: An automatic precision sectioning saw equipped with a variable speed motor (100–5000 RPM). It utilizes a touchscreen interface and pulse-cutting technology to deliver precise, low-deformation cuts on sensitive or ultra-hard materials.
Automatic Grinder & Polisher
Maker: Buehler
Model: AutoMet 250 Pro
Function: An automatic sample preparation system used to grind and polish mounted material specimens. Utilizing an automated power head for single-force loading, it ensures flat, deformation-free surfaces across individual samples.
ANGAM in ACTION!
This video showcases the capabilities of the ANGAM Lab, which was captured as part of our collaborative initiative with the Alberta Advanced Manufacturing International (AbAMI) Hub at the University of Alberta.
This video shows the mechanical alloying of high entropy alloys (HEAs) as part of the “Ultra-high Strength Anti-icing High Entropy Alloy Surfaces for Extreme Erosive Environments” project, funded by the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program.