AM Solutions Aids Drone Manufacturing via Additive Post-Processing

Commercial drone innovator heliguy has recently worked with additive manufacturing post-processing solution provider (AM Solutions) to optimize parts for its product range. heliguy has a suite of additive manufacturing equipment in-house in its production facilities, and uses AM Solutions’ M1 Basic post-processing machine to enhance the surface of AM parts, which improve component performance and aesthetic quality.

“AM Solutions is part of the Rösler Group, and as a company we have been working at the forefront of surface finishing for 80 years," says Colin Spellacy, head of Sales at AM Solutions UK. "We are delighted to be working with heliguyTM, and it is great to see how our M1 Basic machine has become such an integral asset in the heliguyTM lab."

The M1 Basic is AM Solutions’ post-processing solution for the surface smoothing and polishing of single parts and small batches, and is able to handle plastic and metal AM parts. As a compact machine, it is easily integrated into most manufacturing lines. Multiple parts can be simultaneously treated in separate processing chambers through the installation of divider plates. The system features a comprehensive, easy-to-operate software package that allows storage of post-treatment processing programs and reduces the risk of operator errors. The M1 Basic promotes surface finish of work pieces in a cost-effective and repeatable fashion.

“AM Solutions’ M1 Basic machine not only enhances the surface of our 3D printed parts, which both improves performance and look and feel, but it has helped in the development of innovative drone solutions," says Ross Embleton, lead product designer at heliguy. "It is a fantastic machine and it is helping to drive our in-house design and development capabilities to manufacture our own parts, as well as working with third-party organizations to bring their concepts to life."

"The M1 Basic is refining the parts we’ve made using the AM process, providing better-looking and better quality commercial-grade end-use products," Embleton adds. "In smoothing and polishing parts, it also enables us to create a perfect surface for painting or dye, which is another important element of improving the aesthetics.”

heliguyTM has used AM and it associated ecosystem of technologies such as AM Solutions’ M1 Basic to facilitate agile in-house manufacturing.

Adds Spellacy, “AM truly democratizes and localizes production for manufacturers, and as such opens up huge possibilities for expanding companies such as heliguy. "We exist to automate the post-processing of AM parts in order to overcome the sometimes, slow, costly and disconnected AM process chain, and to ensure that AM is an efficient and viable production alternative to legacy manufacturing technologies.”

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.