Croft Additive Manufacturing has developed a way to manufacture more effective filters using wire mesh and 3D printed metal powder.
According to Croft Filters, one of the major challenges for filtration is to deliver the filtration level (aperture size) and sufficient strength whilst retaining a maximal open area to deliver efficient filtration.
However, woven wire mesh filters can be easily distorted without an additional support layer.
Using additive manufacturing (AM), stainless steel woven wire mesh was spot welded onto the build plate to secure the mesh in position, and layers of SS316L metal powder were then added to the build plate and the filter support areas and melted by the laser according to the CAD design.
According to the company, the new filters can be made in a number of shapes and the support structures added to the woven wire mesh in specific patterns to suit the design of the filter.
This story uses material from Croft, with editorial changes made by Materials Today.