3D Systems, Inc.
21
NITROGEN SUPPLY OPTIONS
Use one of the following nitrogen supply methods to meet the requirements:
•
Liquid or bottled (gaseous) nitrogen with auto-switching manifold
•
Nitrogen generator
•
Bulk nitrogen tank
NOTE: Nitrogen supply systems are customer supplied and installed . 3D Systems does not service nitrogen supply
equipment except for 3D Systems’ Nitrogen generator .
NITROGEN AND COMPRESSED AIR REQUIREMENTS
A properly functioning nitrogen supply system that meets the requirements listed below must be in place
before
the ProX 500 SLS
System installation .
NITROGEN SUPPLY REQUIREMENTS
COMPONENT
REQUIREMENT
Purity
99%
Nitrogen line fittings
Inlet: ¼ inch Barbed Hose Fitting
Continuous flow
10 slpm (21 scfh) for length of build
Purge flow
50 lpm (106 cfh) for 15 minutes
Exhaust
Must exhaust to outside at pressure 0 .0025 bar (1 .0 in H
2
O)
Weekly consumption
140 m
3
(4944 ft
3
) of N
2
gas based on 24 h/day operation with
7 purge cycles
8
N
2
Generator O
2
Exhaust
The nitrogen generator separates nitrogen from ambient air (CDA required), creating two air streams; N
2
supply and O
2
waste . Both exit
at the bottom of the generator .
The N
2
supply stream is greater than 99% nitrogen . The O
2
waste stream is less than 40% oxygen . If the SLS process room meets the
air exchange requirements, it is safe to vent the O
2
waste stream into the room. The waste stream flow rate is low.
NITROGEN SUPPLY AND EXHAUST LINES
Nitrogen supply and exhaust lines must be in place
before
ProX 500 SLS System installation . Follow these guidelines for nitrogen
supply and exhaust lines:
•
Route nitrogen supply lines through the ceiling .
•
Locate the drops over the right side of the process station (viewed from the front) .
NOTE: Keep the nitrogen lines—especially the exhaust line—as short as possible to ensure proper pressure .
COMPRESSED AIR REQUIREMENTS
COMPRESSED AIR
ProX 500 3D PRINTER
MQC SYSTEM
3D SYSTEMS N
2
GENERATOR (OPTIONAL)
Connection Type
1/4” Barbed Hose Fitting 1/4” Barbed Hose Fitting
Industrial interchange male coupling plug:
1/4 inch coupling size, air inlet at top of nitrogen
generator
Flow Rate
35 slpm
130 slpm
270 lpm (572 cfh)
Supply Pressure
6 bar (90 psi)
6 bar (90 psi)
620-690 kPa (90-100 psi)
Quality
CDA (Clean Dry Air)
CDA
CDA
