Idaho National Laboratory’s new sintering technology
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho National Laboratory showed off its new Electric Field Assisted Sintering machine, the DCS-800; One of four new models used to mold ceramic or metallic particles into an industrial use object.
They say it can be done through electricity without fully melting the particles.
They say, using the EFAS machines, is less expensive, faster and can save more than 90% of energy than the traditional method.
In the past, they had to hot press the particles, resulting in wasted energy and limited performance.
The DCS-800 can make new parts of up to roughly 1 square meter.
Here's how it works:
- Part of the machine mixes the powdered ceramic, metal and composites and stores them until they need to be pressed into an object for use.
- The powdered gets inserted into a cylinder of appropriate size.
- The EFAS sends electricity to fuse particle together.
- Object is ready for use.
On Wednesday, INL held a ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome the new machine into action.
