Freeman Technology News - New eBook from Freeman Technology addresses the critical issue of powder flow testing for Additive Manufacturing

Providing expert guidance on relevant techniques and the value of the resulting data.

Freeman Technology, a Micromeritics company and the global leader in powder characterisation technology, has released a new eBook focusing on the application of powder flow testing in Additive Manufacturing (AM). Powders used for AM, or 3D printing, range from metals and polymers through to pharmaceutical formulations. ‘Powder Flow Testing for Additive Manufacturing’ focuses on the measurement of bulk powder properties, notably flowability via dynamic testing, that are being used by industry pioneers to enhance throughput and printed product quality. Including a range of case studies, it provides valuable, expert guidance for materials scientists and engineers looking to optimise the application and performance of AM.

The application of AM is growing rapidly, in industries as diverse as aerospace and automotive, energy and medical. The robust specification of feedstocks is critical for commercial success, to secure consistency in the powder supply chain and to develop new materials for printing. Choosing between supplies, establishing effective powder recycling strategies, and selecting the best material for a specific application all rely on understanding which properties define performance. Bulk flow properties are important within this context. They impact powder discharge from the feed hopper into the process and spreadability, the ease and consistency of powder dispersion across the build platform. Powder flowability can also directly influence the quality of finished components.

Written in clear, easy-to-understand language, the new eBook summarises Freeman Technology’s understanding and expertise in this area, gathered over many years working with academic and industrial leaders. Readers can learn about:

• Which powder properties are      most relevant to AM performance and why?

• The strengths and limitations      of different techniques for powder flow measurement.

• The benefits of multi-faceted      powder testing, via a series of case studies from in-house research and      industrial collaborations.

The robust specification of powders for AM is challenging with subtle differences distinguishing powders that perform well from those that will be economically or technically inferior. Multi-faceted powder characterisation, based on the measurement of dynamic, bulk and shear properties, provides valuable insight into powder behaviour with the exemplary sensitivity and established relevance of dynamic testing often proving critical.

Download this complimentary new eBook today and learn how to improve your analytical strategy for AM powder selection and management.

https://www.freemantech.co.uk/learn/ebooks

Author Biography - Tim Freeman, Managing Director, Freeman Technology

Tim Freeman is Managing Director of powder characterisation company Freeman Technology for whom he has worked since the late 1990s. He was instrumental in the design and continuing development of the FT4 Powder Rheometer® and the Uniaxial Powder Tester. Through his work with various professional bodies, and involvement in industry initiatives, Tim is an established contributor to wider developments in powder processing.

Tim has a degree in Mechatronics from the University of Sussex in the UK. He is a mentor on a number of project groups for the Engineering Research Center for Structured Organic Particulate Systems in the US and a frequent contributor to industry conferences in the area of powder characterisation and processing. A past Chair of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Process Analytical Technology Focus Group Tim is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of Pharmaceutical Technology and features on the Industry Expert Panel in European Pharmaceutical Review magazine.  Tim is also a committee member of the Particle Technology Special Interest Group at the Institute of Chemical Engineers, Vice-Chair of the D18.24 sub-committee on the Characterisation and Handling of Powders and Bulk Solids at ASTM and a member of the United States Pharmacopeial (USP) General Chapters Physical Analysis Expert Committee (GC-PA EC).