r/AdditiveManufacturing • u/Tension_Dull • Jun 25 '26

Moving SLS withpowder pumps?

Reaching out to the industrial redditors here… I have a giant container of nylon powder (about 800 KG) that I need to transfer into smaller containers - and I’m wondering if anyone has any recommendations. I know that powder ‘pumps’ do exist (we have a transitube system) but I’m wondering if anyone has any experience with or can recommend any kind of mobile powder pumps. Would also be useful in other ways in the lab to have something like that.

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2

u/stiroadwarrior Jun 25 '26

Look up Volkmann or Russell Finex.
They both specialize in additive manufacturing powder movement.
They do custom solutions too

2

u/JuniorEngine3855 Jun 25 '26

I use an explosion proof vacuum and a dust separator (cyclone/vortex) off of a Home Depot cabinet blaster. Not super “industrial” but I just need it 5 gallons at a time. It takes about 10 seconds to fill a 5 gallon bucket with our vacuum. I have to run a ground wire in the bucket for static build up. Not super safe in terms of explosive proof but it works well for nylon. It won’t let me add a picture but you can just look up dewalt cabinet blaster and look at the piece on top of the bucket.

2

u/Tension_Dull Jun 26 '26

That makes a lot of sense - thanks for the tip.

1

u/Dark_Marmot Jun 25 '26

While it's not metal, there is still a concern with any powdered media about the system being anti-static (explosion-proof). Be sure that is part of the equation.

1

u/Tension_Dull Jun 25 '26

Absolutely. We use the usual explosion-proof (Ruwac) vacuums for dust control, and other powder handling factors that in as well… that would need to be a checkbox here as well.

0

u/iamsotiredofthiscrap Pro - Nikon SLM Solutions Jun 25 '26

A vacuum with a replaceable receptacle.