NAME Semi-industrial pilot plant for (electro)chemical surface finishing

DESCRIPTION

Semi-industrial pilot plant for (electro) chemical surface finishing that allows reducing the surface roughness up to 60% on metallic parts with relatively complex geometries, manufactured by AM. The resulting surface is clean and has a high gloss. By means of this asset it is also possible to machine or shape certain areas of a piece. The pilot plant consists of: • Tanks up to 250 L capacity with several heaters, cooling coil, mechanical agitation, air agitation, the possibility to place counter-electrodes in different positions, level probe, lid and suction hood. • Rectifiers capable of applying a wide a range of voltage/current • Equipment for the evaluation of surface roughness (currently off-line, expected to acquire in-line characterization equipment) • Equipment for additional surface characterization (thermography, corrosion, wettability, brightness, mass loss, changes in geometry of the piece, etc.) • Planned to acquire electrochemical simulation software that allows to quickly identifying the initial parameters of the process depending on the requirements, the geometry and the type of material to be post-processed. • Planned to acquire a monitoring and control software for the electrochemical pilot plant that facilitates the connectivity of the plant with a MES from which the manufacturing plant of the components as a whole will be managed.

FIELDS OF APPLICATION

Post process

MOST OUTSTANDING EQUIPMENT AND COMPONENTS

  • Electrochemical simulation software

    Electrochemical simulation software that allows to quickly identifying the initial parameters of the process depending on the requirements, the geometry and the type of material to be post-processed.

  • Electrolytic tanks

    Electrolytic tanks up to 250 L of capacity with two heaters, cooling coil, mechanical agitation system, air agitation system, the possibility to place counter-electrodes in different positions, level probe, lid and suction hood.

  • Equipment for electrolyte control and regeneration systems

    Equipment for electrolyte control and regeneration systems (ICP, ion chromatography, automatic titrators, microfiltration equipment ... etc.)

  • Equipment for the evaluation of surface roughness

    Equipment for the evaluation of surface roughness (perfilometre, confocal microscope, AFM) and equipment for additional surface characterization (thermography, wettability, brightness, weight loss, changes in geometry of the piece, corrosion, etc.)

  • Rectifiers

    Rectifiers capable of applying a wide a range of voltage/current

SERVICES OFFERED BY THE ASSET

Advice for scaling and industrial feasibility study

Industrial and technical feasibility studies of the processes developed in this asset

Development and optimization of post-processing of AM parts. Prototype obtaining

Roughness control of metallic parts manufactured by AM with relatively complex geometries (roughness reduction of up to 60%). By combining this asset with others available, a roughness reduction of up to 95% can be achieved. Surface cleaning: The surfaces treated by electrochemical methods are clean and free of contaminants. Improved corrosion resistance: Electropolishing processes improve the corrosion resistance of stainless steel materials.

Process monitoring and control

Once the monitoring and control software has been acquired, the (electro)chemical post-processing plant can be connected to the additive manufacturing processes and will have input on the specific requirements of the part or component to be treated.

Training

Practical and theoretical training in post-processing and surface finishing technologies.

ENTITY MANAGING THE ASSET

ENTITY MANAGING THE ASSET
CIDETEC
Contact person:
Gemma Vara Salazar
gvara@cidetec.es