GEFERTEC Launches arcTitan WAAM System for Titanium

GEFERTEC has unveiled the arcTitan, a novel wire-arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) system engineered to address the specific challenges of working with titanium. The system integrates a fully enclosed inert gas atmosphere with a plasma-based WAAM process, aiming to provide stable and reproducible control over the manufacturing workflow.

Titanium's desirable properties, such as its high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance, make it a valuable material for various industrial applications. However, its susceptibility to contamination during processing presents significant hurdles. GEFERTEC's arcTitan tackles this by employing a completely enclosed build chamber and an inert gas environment, alongside a plasma welding process that allows for precise heat input management and consistent part quality.

According to GEFERTEC, the arcTitan is designed to ensure that process conditions remain highly controllable throughout the entire build. Johannes Zuckschwerdt, Managing Director of GEFERTEC, stated that the system's build chamber, welding process, and peripheral equipment were specifically developed for titanium to achieve reproducible conditions. Key system components, including gas management, sensor technology, wire feeding, and process parameter control, have been tailored for this material.

The arcTitan system maintains an oxygen level of 10 to 15 ppm within the build chamber, creating the necessary controlled environment for titanium additive manufacturing. The machine offers a substantial build envelope of 2000 × 700 × 1000 mm and a deposition rate of up to 3 kg/h. Its modular design also allows for customization to meet individual end-user requirements. GEFERTEC anticipates interest in the arcTitan from companies in the aerospace and energy sectors.