EBM Technology

Electron Beam Melting (EBM) is a form of additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing, used specifically for metal parts. In this process, the raw material, which can be metal powder or wire, is placed in a vacuum and fused together by heating it with an electron beam. This method features a high melting temperature, adjustable furnace power and heating speed, and produces high-quality products. However, it also presents challenges such as low metal yield, high specific power consumption, and the necessity for high vacuum conditions during melting.

EBM is utilized not only for the melting and refining of steel and rare metals but also widely applied in welding, as well as the melting and casting of ceramic materials.

In a high vacuum environment, the cathode is heated by a high voltage electric field, causing it to emit electrons. These electrons are then collected into a beam. Driven by the accelerating voltage, the electron beam travels towards the anode at very high speeds. After passing through the anode, the beam precisely targets and bombards the bottom ingot and the material in the crucible. This action melts the bottom ingot to form a molten pool, into which the material continuously melts and drips, thus completing the melting process.

Typically, the acceleration voltage for an electron beam furnace is around 30,000 volts. This setup ensures a maximum X-ray loss of no more than 0.5%, with even less loss from secondary emission electrons. Consequently, the energy of the electron beam is almost entirely converted from electrical energy to kinetic energy and then from kinetic energy to thermal energy.