Vacuum Furnaces Were Made For Additive Manufacturing

Additive Manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, encompasses technologies that convert a digital model into three-dimensional parts by layering materials such as powders, sheet metals or wrought feed-stock. With this emerging technology which emphasizes near net / finished parts, it is only natural that additive manufacturers seek out vacuum furnaces for their final condition heat treating.

Vacuum batch sintering offers a purity level that no other heat treat process can compare to. A deep vacuum or partial pressure hydrogen atmosphere is the preferred method to help strengthen the mechanical properties of the part. Precise temperature control during the sintering process includes slow ramping with lower intermediate holds to assist burn off residual binders, the gradual rise to the sintering temperature, and close pyrometric tolerances at the hold temperatures (such as 2462°F +0 / -5°F) are all critical to the successful heat treatment of a printed part.