AMGTA Study Tests Sustainability of Energy Dynamics in Metal AM Feedstock

In recent years, additive manufacturing has seen a surge in focus on sustainability, driven by the combined efforts of industry leaders and organizations like the Additive Manufacturer Green Trade Association (AMGTA). Last week, a research study shed light on the intricate balance between energy consumption, environmental impact, and manufacturing efficiency within the AM ecosystem.

The AMGTA, a driving force in testing and promoting environmentally beneficial AM practices, recently unveiled the first results of its new study, “Specific Energy of Metal AM Feedstock: A Comparison.” This study, conducted in partnership with research consultancy Syntec Associates and industry innovator Divergent Technologies, delved into the energy requirements of various metal AM feedstock processing approaches.

Powder is one of the main obstacles to the development of metal additive manufacturing

Gas atomization, mechanical milling (specifically ball milling), and wire drawing emerged as the primary focus for sustainable feedstock production. Gas atomization, while often praised for its potential in producing stock powders, faced criticism within the study due to producing wide variations in reported energy consumption. The research delved further, detailing the interplay of material properties, gas selection, and process parameters influencing energy consumption during gas atomization.