3D Systems and Oerlikon agree to collaborate on metal 3D printing

3D Systems and Oerlikon AM announced that the two companies have entered into a collaboration to further expand metal additive manufacturing.

As part of this collaboration, Oerlikon AM will purchase its fourth DMP Factory 500 system from 3D Systems, the first in the U.S., which will be used in its North Carolina manufacturing facility. This will help expand Oerlikon’s end-to-end supply chain solution for high-precision, complex aluminum components for the US market.

3D Systems’ Application Innovation Group (AIG) worked with Oerlikon AM’s Application Engineering to develop this solution. Both teams have extensive expertise not only in additive manufacturing, but also in high-value applications in various industries. Their combined experience in laser powder bed fusion as well as material and process qualification is invaluable for the production of highly critical components with lower life cycle costs.

“The adoption of Additive Manufacturing technology for series production occurs at an ever-increasing pace. For our customers to remain competitive in core technology markets (including semicon and aerospace), scale up to series production is dependent upon the successful execution of application development, qualification, and timely ramp up to full-scale production,” stated Jonathan Cornelus, business development manager, Oerlikon AM. “With Oerlikon and 3DSystems joining forces, this partnership will accelerate the industrialization of metal AM through an integrated team approach between the customer, printer OEM, and manufacturing partner. The efficiency gains will maximize the benefits of additive manufacturing across design, materials, printing, and post-processing to break performance barriers in the manufacturing supply chain.”

3D Systems’ Direct Metal Printing (DMP) technology and Oerlikon AM’s manufacturing and surface finishing capabilities will result in a validated and certified production process for Oerlikon’s customers.

This workflow includes the DMP Factory 500, a platform with a vacuum chamber that ensures the lowest O2 content, and a 3-laser configuration for the production of seamless large parts up to 500 mm x 500 mm x 500 mm in size.This results in the highest surface quality and outstanding material properties of the metal 3D printed parts.

“Industries such as aerospace and semiconductor manufacturing require precision without compromise,” said Scott Green, solutions leader, 3D Systems. “Companies focusing on these areas require constant innovation to meet the accuracy, speed, reliability, and productivity demands of increasingly complex production. Bringing together the industry-leading technology and applications expertise of 3D Systems and Oerlikon AM is delivering increased quality, improved total cost of ownership, reduced time to market, and minimized supply chain disruption. I’m looking forward to seeing how our collaboration can amplify and accelerate the potential of metal AM.”

This cooperation marks an important step in the further development of metal additive manufacturing and offers promising prospects for a wide range of industrial applications.