The Higher Technical School of Engineering of Algeciras of the University of Cádiz has as of this week a new unique scientific equipment associated with the University Institute for Research in Electron Microscopy and Materials (IMEYMAT). It is a 3D printer, which allows the manufacture of medium/large format metal parts, up to one cubic meter in volume and 300 kilograms in weight. This machine feeds on filaments of any weldable metal alloy, which are added through the action of an electric arc until a previously designed 3D part is manufactured. It has been acquired with a grant from the Ministry of Science and Innovation (reference EQC2019-006374-P) and co-financing from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), an application led by Dr. David Sales Lérida, and supported by other colleagues from the Institute and ETSIA groups.

The technology used is known as WAAM, for its acronym in English (Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing). Its use has had a definitive launch in recent years, making it possible to obtain final parts of comparable quality to those obtained through conventional manufacturing techniques.

This new tool is completed with a numerical control (CNC) machining station, which allows, among other aspects, to improve the surface finish of the parts manufactured by WAAM, as well as two state-of-the-art 3D scanners, with a volumetric precision of up to 10 microns. This equipment has an approximate cost of one million euros and in the future it will be offered as a Peripheral Research Service of the IMEYMAT.