During powder bed fusion (PBF), impurities can be trapped by the melting action of the
laser or electron beam followed by rapid solidification, resulting in discontinuities in the sintered products where failures are likely to occur over time. The contamination is due to “cross contamination” processes that are difficult to detect in the supply chain and are not easily identifiable using traditional technologies. The project focuses on the development of a contaminant concentrator.
The project led to the creation of a functional prototype in which the action of permanent magnets diverts the falling trajectory of powders, based on ferromagnetic characteristics, distributed in a thin layer on a vibrating and inclined plane. The demonstrator showed potential results. Tests indicated that to reach the TRL8 condition (demonstration in an operational environment), or workshop testing, the prototype must be equipped with control systems such as: vibration magnitude, adjustable inclination, variability of the magnetic field including frequency variations to induce differentiated effects for induced currents when paramagnetic materials are contaminated with ceramics. The concentration of the contaminant makes it detectable before the use of the powders.