Recycling of powder

The recycling of powder is an important step towards conserving resources in additive manufacturing, particularly in selective laser sintering (SLS). In this process, only part of the powder used is actually cured during the printing process. The rest remains in the build chamber and can often be reused. This not only reduces material consumption, but also significantly lowers production costs.

Effective powder management is crucial to maximize the efficient use of materials. The excess powder is sieved after each printing process, removing impurities and ensuring that the quality of the recycled powder remains consistently high. To ensure that the mechanical properties of the printed parts are not compromised, the recycled powder is usually mixed with a certain amount of new powder.

The reuse of powder helps to reduce costs and at the same time reduces the environmental footprint of manufacturing by reducing the need for new raw materials. This approach supports the development of sustainable production methods and helps companies increase their environmental responsibility while continuing to produce high quality components.