Wolfson Centre

Powder Handling and Flow for Additive Manufacturing

Course Dates

15 - 19 July 2024

The course will run online over 5 sessions; each session will start at 13:00 hrs UK time and finish by 16:00 hrs; all sessions need to be attended to complete the course.

The course provides the opportunity to discuss operational issues with the presenters and other delegates.

Course Fee

£775 full fee per delegate. /  £697.50 discounted rate

Discounts are available for group bookings and returning delegates.

Registration

Registration and payment is be available via the on-line shop .

This course can be delivered as an In-Company course delivered on line at a time to suit operational requirements.

The online course will be held via MS Teams.  A link to join will be sent  during the week before the course starts.

Course content

Metal and Plastic Powders in the AM process:

  • Recycle and quality issues;
  • Contamination and Oxidation issues;
  • Standards for AM Powders
  • Key H&S issues

Basic introduction to handling processes:

  • Hoppers for storage and discharge; flow patterns, principles of reliable flow
  • Powder flow properties;
  • Pneumatic conveying; key components, features and operating issues;
  • Fluidisation;

Characterisation and control of powder properties

  • Powder flowability/spreadability measurements;
  • Environmental effects;
  • Density measurements and particle morphology

Basic overview of powder evolution and quality loss

Quality Considerations

  • Sampling
  • Control of flow properties;
  • Segregation in processes
  • Particle aggregation;
  • Powder electrostatics;
  • Particle degradation

Latest Techniques in Spreadability Testing and Layer Quality Control.

  • The new technique and instrument developed to quantify the behaviour of a powder when spreading for Additive Manufacturing;
  • A new shadowgraphy technique incorporated, used to quantify powder bed surface roughness;
  • How the instrument can determine powder bed relative packing fraction, the change in packing fraction, particle size and shape over the build plate, and to evaluate the electrostatic charges over the powder bed.

Format

The first couple of sessions will provide a basic introduction to the subject, leading to in depth studies on  quality considerations later in the course. Presentations and demonstrations (where appropriate) will be used to illustrate key points with time for discussion built in.

Why should you attend?

If you work in powder-based AM processing you will find this course to be invaluable as you are guided through the critical aspects of powder handling and management. You do not need any previous formal training to attend, you just need to work in this relatively new field of processing. It will also be extremely useful if you are about to change career direction to AM processing.

Presenters

The course leader is Mike Bradley, Professor of Bulk and Particulate Technologies and Director of The Wolfson Centre. He has worked internationally on design and troubleshooting of bulk solids handling as a commercial consultant and research expert for over twenty years;

Contributions may also be made from the rest of the Team, including
Dr Baldeep Kaur, whose interests lie in characterisation and transportation of bulk materials;
Dr Vivek Garg, whose interests lie in powder flowability;
Dr Atul Sharma, whose interests lie in pneumatic conveying systems.
Dr Hamid Salehi, Chemical Engineer at the University of Greenwich,

Guest Presenter Dr Joseph Oluleke, Specialist Materials Manager at Carpenter Additive, has over 5 years of academic and industrial experience in metal powder AM, including AM powder production through atomisation and spheroidisation, AM powder post processing, powder behaviour and powder evolution.

Please note: Each of the above companies reserves the right to substitute leaders of equal quality should this be dictated by circumstances beyond their control

In Company course

If you are interested in holding this course in company, please contact us for details.