ATO Noble Atomizer

ATO Noble is an ultrasonic metal powder atomizer specially modified to work with precious metals.

Technology:
Ultrasonic atomization

In stock

Categories:
Atomizers, Precious (ATO Noble), Ultrasonic Metal Atomizers

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Description

ATO Noble is an ultrasonic metal powder atomizer with the same basic features as ATO Lab Plus, but modified to work with precious metals and produce high quality precious metal powders. It responds to customer needs for economical atomization of expensive and rare metal alloys. Since there are no limitations on the minimum load and the system is easy to change to another material, the cost effectiveness and freedom of the atomization process are assured. The ATO Noble is specifically designed to produce precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, etc. with high productivity and efficiency. ATO Noble uses Zero Loss Technology which reduces material waste to an absolute minimum. We have achieved this by creating a specially adapted filtration system and a closed loop of gas circulation. Innovative system allows recovery of valuable materials for reuse with a single click of a button.

ATO INSIDE

PRECIOUS METALS

ATO Noble is specially designed for the production of precious metals powders such as gold, silver, platinum, etc., with high productivity and efficiency.

PARAMETERS DEDICATED UNDER PRECIOUS METALS

The ATO Noble meets customers’ needs for cost-effective atomization of expensive and rare metal alloys. Since there is no minimum load limit and the system is easily switched to another material, cost efficiency and freedom of atomization process is ensured.

MAXIMUM MATERIAL RECOVERY

ATO Noble uses Zero Loss technology, which minimizes material loss. 3D LAB achieved this by creating a special filtration system and a closed gas circulation loop. The innovative system allows valuable materials to be recovered for reuse at the touch of a button.

ULTRASONIC POWDER ATOMIZATION TECHNOLOGY

Ultrasonic vibration technology is used to break molten metal into small droplets, which rapidly solidify into metal powder in an inert gas atmosphere. The metal powder size produced depends on the frequency of the ultrasonic waves, with higher frequencies producing smaller particles and lower frequencies producing larger particles. Factors affecting particle size and distribution are viscosity, density, ultrasonic amplitude and atomizer design. Ultrasonic atomization of metal powder using ATO technology is a process in which metal powder is melted using an electric arc. Ultrasonic vibrations are then transmitted into the molten metal, creating capillary waves. These waves eject metal droplets, which are rounded and cooled before being collected and sorted. The result is almost perfectly spherical metal droplets.

precious METAL POWDERs MAIN APPLICATIONS

Metal powders are used in the jewelry industry to create intricate designs and shapes that would be difficult or impossible to produce using traditional methods. Powder metallurgy allows for greater precision and consistency in the production of metal components. Metal powders are used in the production of a wide range of jewelry items, including rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and brooches. The jewelry industry requires high-quality metal powders that can be used to create complex designs and shapes with great accuracy. ATO Noble ultrasonic metal atomizers produce fine, uniform powders with a high degree of purity and consistent particle size distribution. These powders are ideal for use in powder metallurgy processes such as Metal Injection Molding (MIM) and Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP), which are commonly used in the production of jewelry components. The jewelry industry uses a wide range of alloys, including gold, silver, platinum, palladium and copper. Precious metal alloys are often used to create high-end jewelry, while copper alloys are more commonly used in fashion jewelry.

ATO NOBLE ADVANTAGES

LIST OF SUCCESSFULY ATOMIZED POWDERS

Gold, platinum and silver can be successfully atomized to produce fine metal powders. This opens new shaping possibilities where the only limit is the designer’s imagination. Furthermore, by using ATO Noble it is possible to achieve zero waste production, which is the most important feature in the jewelry industry. It is also worth mentioning that the chemical composition remains the same after atomization, which helps to maintain the right precious metal standard.

ATOMIZED ALLOYS ON ATO

Ag 99%
Au 9ct
Au 18ct
Au 99,99%
Au 99,99%
Ir 99%
Pt alloys

Steel is the most widely used material in almost all industries due to its low price, high mechanical properties and a wide range of heat treatments that can help tailor the material for individual purposes. The atomization process of steel is one of the simplest and most balanced in terms of quality, yield and process stability. Its characteristics allow it to be used as a primary benchmark material for the ultrasonic atomization process. The distribution of the powder is very homogeneous with a narrow range of metal powder, which is very desirable for some manufacturing methods.

ATOMIZED ALLOYS ON ATO

42CrMo4
AMS5832
Fe 99,5%
FeMn
PH177 Garba
SS304
SS316L

Titanium is one of the most promising materials of the 21st century, having one of the highest values of strength to density and corrosion resistance. Similar to steel, it can be easily atomized using ultrasonic atomization. The process can be very stable which has immense potential for automation. Considering the high prices of titanium alloys and its powders, ultrasonic atomization has one of the best commercial perspectives. Nevertheless, one of the main challenges is the rate of absorption of oxygen and nitrogen, which places additional requirements for the atomization process conditions.

ATOMIZED ALLOYS ON ATO

Ti OCT 1-90013-81
Ti5Al2.5Sn
TiAl
TiMoSi
Titanium Gr.1
Titanium Gr.2
Titanium Gr.5 (Ti6Al4V)

Nickel-based alloys are mainly used in the aerospace industry due to their high temperature and corrosion resistance combined with good ductility and strength. The atomization of the material is very stable, similar to steel and titanium. Oxygen pick-up is exceptionally low, and the material is homogeneous. Due to these advantages, ultrasonic atomization seems to be a good and efficient method for scrap recycling. Some international companies may be interested in implementing ultrasonic atomization to reduce their carbon footprint and increase the ESG rating.

ATOMIZED ALLOYS ON ATO

Inconel 625
Inconel 718
Ni 99%
NiTi
NiTiHf

Aluminum is one of the most commonly used non-ferrous alloys due to its low density, relatively high strength and good corrosion resistance. Atomization of the metal and its alloy is quite challenging due to several issues. However, the powder meets the requirements for most 3D printers with a sphericity of 0.93 and an eq. grain diameter of approximately 50 µm. One of the main challenges with aluminum and its alloys is their affinity for oxygen, which creates a large surface tension between the molten metal and the sonotrode tip which decreases the contact zone. Furthermore, a thin layer may still be present on the surface of the powder. Based on the research conducted, higher frequency allows for a more stable atomization process that can be performed with minimal operator interference.

ATOMIZED ALLOYS ON ATO

Al 99,99%
Al4047
Al5183
Al7075
AlCoCrFeNi
AlMg
AlMgCu
AlMgSc
AlSi10Mg

The lightest construction material which has decent strength and the highest specific strength for metal alloys. Magnesium alloys can be used where weight reduction is a key feature. The atomization of magnesium tends to be challenging, but by optimizing the process it is possible to obtain powder with high sphericity. Higher frequency piezoelectric generators can further stabilize the process. It is also worth noting that the problem with most magnesium alloys is very rapid oxidation, which also applies to atomized powder. Magnesium powder is highly reactive and the ATO Lab Plus system has one of the best coating systems which increases the safety of the process.

ATOMIZED ALLOYS ON ATO

MgAl9Zn1
AZ31
WE54

This group includes the most resilient materials that are hard to manufacture and form using conventional technologies. The most common materials in this group are tungsten, molybdenum and tantalum. Ultrasonic atomization enables to produce a fine powder suitable for most applications. It is worth mentioning that 3D Lab has dedicated features that reduce the wear of the working chamber, which is an issue for all refractory materials. The atomization process is stable and can be partially automated.

ATOMIZED ALLOYS ON ATO

Nb 99%
Ta 99%
W90Ni7Fe3
MoSi2

Copper and its alloys are best known for their electrical and thermal conductivity. The material has high resistance to corrosion and is a semi-precious material. The material enforces the use of higher currents despite relatively low melting temperature. Nevertheless, metal powder has remarkably high sphericity and homogeneity. Atomization of zinc-containing brass can be challenging due to fuming at high temperatures. Careful parameter optimization is required.

ATOMIZED ALLOYS ON ATO

CuAlNiFe
CuCrZr
CuM1E
CuMnAl
CuNi3Si
CuSn

High entropy alloys are being developed at many research institutions. The results indicate that some HEAs have significantly better strength-to-weight ratios, with higher levels of fracture resistance, tensile strength, and corrosion and oxidation resistance than conventional alloys. The atomization of HEA is highly dependent on the chemical composition of the material. It is easier to atomize materials that are easy to melt and have relatively low surface tension. Depending on the chemical composition of the alloy, the melting tip material core must be selected individually.

ATOMIZED ALLOYS ON ATO

CoCrFeMo
NiCrFe
FeNiCrMo
CoCrFe
FeNiAlCr

In addition to the common metals, we have successfully atomized metals for the semiconductor industry, such as MoS2 and others. Spherical metal powders were obtained in laboratory quantities, which can be further processed by special AM processes. We have also had success with some zirconium bulk metallic glasses, although in small quantities. Other meltable and weldable materials can be atomized with appropriate process parameter selection. Based on melting temperature, affinity to oxygen, chemical composition requirements, it is possible to obtain the appropriate atomization parameters.

ATOMIZED ALLOYS ON ATO

MoS2
B4C

ATO Noble is a device that can help you increase your efficiency and save money. In terms of usability, the ATO Noble has an intuitive control system with a clear interface and precise parameter control. Operators can easily adjust parameters to achieve optimal powder properties for their specific needs. This ease of use makes the ATO Noble ideal for research and development as well as industrial production on a large scale. The system is also equipped with a number of safety features, including a cooling water monitoring system, automatic gas shut-off valves and emergency stop buttons.

ato patents

ATO PERIPHERALS

The ATO atomizers configuration is flexible and based on a patented ultrasonic atomization technology. The system can be easily customized to meet the individual needs of the customer. ATO is a modular system with the future potential to operate with sets of many units in an interconnected network.