Industry 3D Printing Furnaces

What is industrial 3D printing?

Originally introduced in 1980, additive manufacturing, more commonly known today as 3D printing, continues to grow in popularity and adoption across industries. Mostly a subtractive process, the manufacturing process wastes the raw materials then reuse them. For example, a car factory cuts sheet metal then shapes into specific body parts. Leftover metal is then melted down and formed into metal plates. As metal plates, the leftover metal can then be reused for any further processes.

In contrast, 3D printing is a very precise manufacturing process. Manufacturing with 3D printing effectively uses raw materials and requires no cutting down, no leftover material, and no need to reprocess the materials. Therefore, it’s only an additive process and not subtractive. Manufacturers reduce material waste, as well as processing time and required equipment with 3D printing.

3D printing process and vacuum heat treating

Additive manufactured parts tend to use net shapes and complex geometries. Unique shapes make them impossible to machine and remove very little material during downstream processing. Therefore, the finished parts must never exhibit decarburization or contaminated surfaces from subsequent thermal processing. A well-maintained vacuum furnace with precise temperature controls is critical within the additive manufacturing world. These industrial furnaces operate totally devoid of oxygen by being equipped with diffusion pumps. This function makes it possible to attain deep vacuum levels.

Vacuum Furnaces used for 3D Printing

Browse our collection of industrial vacuum furnaces for 3D printing applications.

Sentro Tech STT

This economical sintering tube furnace makes small lab samples from 3D metal printing parts.
Choose the right furnace process tube for your application:

  • Alumina (99.5%) tube for tube ID up to 3.5” and max sintering temperature up to 1700C
  • Mullite tube for tube ID up to 7” and max sintering temperature up to 1400C

Sentro Tech STV

A versatile vacuum and controlled atmosphere furnace for 3D metal part printing. This cost effective sintering furnace uses 1700C grade ceramic fiber line and  Molybdenum Disilicide (MoSi2) heating element. Operate firing cycles and alter atmosphere condition during operation cycle from oxidizing such as air to inert atmosphere or argon/nitrogen to rough vacuum (10-1 torr).

Designed for accurate air/inert gas flow rate control, these furnaces provide accurate temperature control, excellent temperature uniformity, long-lasting performance, and safe operations. It is ideal for laboratories and production for temperatures up to 1600oC.

  • 1600oC. Max Vacuum (Torr) 10-1 Torr Vacuum
  • Max pressure: 1100 Torr
  • Controller: Eurotherm Nanodac 100 program x 20 segments per program, USB and EtherNet plugs, data recording and computer communication. Temperature and vacuum data are recorded in Eurotherm Nanodac
  • Instrutech vacuum pressure gauge, measurement from 0.001 torr to 1100 Torr
  • Welch Vacuum pump
  • Type B thermocouples

Sentro Tech STHV

Another Sentro Tech model for 3D metal part printing, consider the STHV as a versatile high-vacuum and controlled atmosphere furnace. This cost effective sintering furnace uses 1700oC grade high alumina ceramic lining and molybdenum heating element.

  • 1400oC Max Vacuum (Torr) 10-4 Torr Vacuum
  • Controller: Eurotherm Nanodac 100 program x 20 segments per program, USB
  • and EtherNet plugs, data recording and computer communication. Temperature and vacuum data are recorded in Eurotherm Nanodac
  • Instrutech high vacuum gauge WASP WGM 701, measurement from 760 torr to 7.6 x 10-10 torr
  • Osaka Turbo Molecular Pump System, 450L/S, 10-9 torr Ultimate pressure, DN 160 ISO-F include TC 353 Digital display
  • Edwards NXDS10i oil-free scroll pump 7.5 CFM0.005 Torr ultimate base pressure
  • Two type S thermocouples: one for control and one for over temperature high alarm

Sentro Tech STHV

Sentro Tech’s high-vacuum furnace features vertical and horizontal door opening for 3D metal printing applications. This high-vacuum sintering furnace uses molybdenum plates shielding, or retort design and molybdenum heating element.

  • 1400oC Max Vacuum (Torr) 10-5 Torr Vacuum
  • Controller: Eurotherm Nanodac 100 program x 20 segments per program, USB
  • and EtherNet plugs, data recording and computer communication. Temperature and vacuum data are recorded in Eurotherm Nanodac
  • Instrutech high vacuum gauge WASP WGM 701, measurement from 760 torr to 7.6 x 10-10 torr
  • Osaka Turbo Molecular Pump System, 10-9 torr Ultimate pressureEdwards NXDS10i oil-free scroll pump with 0.005 Torr ultimate base pressure
  • Two type S thermocouples: one for control and one for over temperature high alarm

To meet specific requirements or dimensions, contact a Sentro Tech representative today to learn about our custom-built high-temperature furnaces and accessories.