Renishaw to showcase end-to-end AM workflow at Formnext
Above: The Renishaw team at Formnext last year.
Courtesy Renishaw
Renishaw will present a production-focused showcase under the theme: 'From Print to Precision: Productivity Upgraded', showcasing high-productivity additive manufacturing workflows for diverse applications including the production of microturbines for propulsion and energy generation.
At the heart of the showcase is LIBERTAS, Renishaw’s new software that opens unprecedented access to laser parameter tuning. LIBERTAS addresses two of the most persistent challenges in metal AM: poor downskin surface finish and the need for support structures. While traditional supports manage heat and distortion, they increase material usage, extend build times and require costly post-processing.
Unlike conventional workflows, LIBERTAS dynamically adjusts scan parameters across different sections of a part, enabling engineers to print complex geometries with smoother downskin surfaces and without supports. This also results in reduced waste and higher-quality finishes, maximising AM’s productivity without the need for costly hardware upgrades.
Also on the stand will be a new long-life filtration system, purpose-built for Renishaw’s RenAM 500 series of metal additive manufacturing systems. The new system delivers continuous gas-flow filtration for uninterrupted production. Designed to safely remove condensate and particulate by-products generated during the build process, the system allows for months of operation without intervention.
Fully compatible with RenAM 500 S (single laser), D (dual laser) and Q (four laser) configurations, the long-life filtration system maximises machine uptime, reduces labour and disposal costs and ensures reliable performance in demanding production environments.
“Visitors will see a complete production cell featuring a Renishaw RenAM 500 Ultra system with TEMPUS technology, a Chiron Micro 5XL and Renishaw's new Equator-X dual-method gauging system, providing an end-to-end process flow: printing, milling and inspection”, said Chris Dimery, Additive Manufacturing EMEA Business Manager at Renishaw. “On this cell, there will be a nozzle guided vane (NVG), enabled by LIBERTAS, the Chiron machining critical features, and the Equator-X system performing part inspection. This illustrates a practical workflow that builds upon Renishaw’s advance manufacturing knowledge, showing users what is possible when you work with the right partner.”
Renishaw will also feature advanced microturbines from Argive, a recent spin-off of UK metal manufacturing specialists Alloyed, showcasing the potential of AM for high-performance propulsion applications. The A300 microturbine is already incorporated in drone applications, whilst the A1100 microturbine is additively manufactured using Alloyed’s nickel superalloy ABD-900AM, which is engineered for high-temperature performance and durability.
“To complement our on-stand production cell, Renishaw will present alongside Siemens Digital Industries Software in a joint session to showcase a fully integrated additive manufacturing workflow designed to deliver optimised, integrated blade rotors for aerospace and defence applications,” added Dimery. “Using Siemens’ digital twin technologies combined with Renishaw’s precision metal AM systems, advanced toolpaths and post-process metrology. The session will demonstrate a seamless, data-driven pathway from digital design intent to certifiable parts for next-generation platforms.”
