A centrifugal pump is a dynamic vane pump in which the movement of liquid is created by the action of centrifugal forces created by a rotating disk with blades. Such devices are quite widespread, they can be used in water supply systems, thermal power, chemical and nuclear industries. In aviation, centrifugal pumps are installed in aircraft fuel systems.
Material: Aluminum alloy
Dimensions: 130х120х30
Production time: 16 hours
The main element of the structure is the body, it has a spiral shape, therefore, in production jargon, a centrifugal pump is often called a “snail pump.” Inside the pump housing should have smooth walls with high surface quality, as any roughness can significantly reduce the efficiency of the pump.
TASK
Using the additive method, create a centrifugal pump body – a part of a complex spiral shape with the preservation of internal surfaces and cavities “clean” in order to minimize machining.
PRODUCTION
The production was one of the first cases for our center when lattice support structures made of aluminum were used. The inner mounting hole in the center of the product was technologically plugged. For stable printing of the overhanging portions, internal support structures were also attached to the plug. This configuration made it possible to achieve good additive manufacturability and facilitate post-processing of the product – internal supports were removed together with the rest during the drilling operation.
Due to the lattice structures, the printing process took much less time. Post-processing also became possible to carry out much faster.
Product development was also one of the first cases of model import/export interaction testing in Materialise Magics and 3D Systems 3DXpert. This helped to ensure data exchange during the process study and correctly determine the products and supports of different types (as well as the corresponding modes for them). The product was originally prepared at Magics for installation by 3D Systems.
RESULTS
The body of the centrifugal pump with dimensions of 130x120x30 mm was manufactured in 16 hours. Due to the use of lattice support structures, the printing and post-processing times were significantly reduced.
CENTRIFUGAL PUMP HOUSING
Material: Aluminum alloy
Dimensions: 130х120х30
Production time: 16 hours
A centrifugal pump is a dynamic vane pump in which the movement of liquid is created by the action of centrifugal forces created by a rotating disk with blades. Such devices are quite widespread, they can be used in water supply systems, thermal power, chemical and nuclear industries. In aviation, centrifugal pumps are installed in aircraft fuel systems.
The main element of the structure is the body, it has a spiral shape, therefore, in production jargon, a centrifugal pump is often called a “snail pump.” Inside the pump housing should have smooth walls with high surface quality, as any roughness can significantly reduce the efficiency of the pump.
TASK
Using the additive method, create a centrifugal pump body – a part of a complex spiral shape with the preservation of internal surfaces and cavities “clean” in order to minimize machining.
PRODUCTION
Preparation of the product for additive manufacturing
The production was one of the first cases for our center when lattice support structures made of aluminum were used. The inner mounting hole in the center of the product was technologically plugged. For stable printing of the overhanging portions, internal support structures were also attached to the plug. This configuration made it possible to achieve good additive manufacturability and facilitate post-processing of the product – internal supports were removed together with the rest during the drilling operation.
Printing process
Due to the lattice structures, the printing process took much less time. Post-processing also became possible to carry out much faster.
Case features
Product development was also one of the first cases of model import/export interaction testing in Materialise Magics and 3D Systems 3DXpert. This helped to ensure data exchange during the process study and correctly determine the products and supports of different types (as well as the corresponding modes for them). The product was originally prepared at Magics for installation by 3D Systems.
RESULTS
The body of the centrifugal pump with dimensions of 130x120x30 mm was manufactured in 16 hours. Due to the use of lattice support structures, the printing and post-processing times were significantly reduced.
