e–MELT® key feature#2 Superior electron gun
Superior electron gun, powering precision and efficiency in e–MELT®
This is the second article in our series highlighting the key features of Freemelt’s industrial E-PBF (Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion) machine, e–MELT®. In this article, we dive into one of the core technologies that drives e–MELT®’s performance – The superior electron gun.
Key technical features
Freemelt has developed its own grid-less electron gun based on a “diode” design, with a stable beam spot size over the full beam power range from 0-6 kW (Image 1). This is in contrast to the common “triode” electron gun used in other E-PBF machines, which has a sweet spot at low beam power, gradually deteriorating the beam quality at higher beam power.
Image 1. Typical spot size vs. beam current for diode electron gun, illustrating the remarkable spot size stability at high beam power.
The diode electron gun design in the e–MELT® system sets a new benchmark in productivity by enabling high-power melting without compromising precision. This capability results in substantial productivity gains for complex geometries and materials that require high-temperature processing, such as tungsten and various refractory metals.
Spot melting, a feature unique to E-PBF technology, further amplifies these advantages. By focusing energy on discrete areas, spot melting provides unparalleled control over the melting process, ensuring superior material quality and consistency. Freemelt has advanced this capability with proprietary spot spread algorithms, making e–MELT® the only E-PBF system to combine high-power performance with precise spot melting. These innovations deliver unmatched speed and accuracy for industrial applications.
Read more:
e–MELT® key feature #1: Dockable build module
Elevating tungsten manufacturing-Six reasons to choose e–MELT®
Metal AM Magazine – Mastering tungsten manufacturing with BPF-EB Additive manufacturing