Special Saw for Additive Manufacturing

March 17, 2018
KASTO's saw for 3D printing turns parts upside down to reduce wear on the saw blade.

An innovative sawing system for additive manufacturing, the KASTOwin amc, is a high-performance automatic band saw that is specially designed for individual offcuts of components made by additive manufacturing. With its integrated 180-deg. turning device and intelligent control system, this fully enclosed machine ensures maximum productivity, efficiency, precision and safety.

 

The KASTOwin amc is specially designed for separating additively manufactured components from their base plates. By turning the parts upside down, wear on the saw blade is significantly reduced because only small quantities of chips are drawn through the cutting channel. The result is an efficient, precise cutting process with low tool wear and reliable operation.

 

The base plate with additively manufactured parts is bolted to the fixture by means of a handling unit or crane. Alternatively, it can be fixed in position an optionally available quick clamping system. The machine is prepared for a suction unit so that components can be turned and sawed in automatic mode with minimum dust generation. The operator enters the thickness of the base plate via the SmartControl controller and its easy-to-use job wizard, which comes as standard. The upper section of the saw, which has a precise ball screw spindle drive, then moves to the exact height required and the saw automatically separates the parts with the required tolerance. The machine shuts off automatically when it reaches the end of the cut.

 

The KASTOwin amc has a standard cutting range of 400 x 400 mm. Other ranges are available on request. The saw has an infinitely adjustable electromechanical downfeed with servomotor and a frequency-controlled spur gear mechanism that can achieve cutting speeds of twelve to 150 metres per minute. The torsionally rigid welded structure with vibration-optimised ribbing ensures quiet operation. Users therefore benefit from short cutting times and long tool life. Cooling is provided by a minimum-quantity lubrication system with automatic monitoring.

 

In addition, the machine is fully enclosed for a high level of safety, cleanliness and sound insulation – a feature offered only by KASTO. At the same time, it provides easy access for material supply and removal. The safety doors can be opened for loading and unloading of the base plate. The removal flap has a window for visual inspection. The operator can open the flap or press a button to stop the sawing process and then continue it. In this way, individual components can be removed from the replaceable collection container when several are being worked on.