Cookson Industrial presents innovations at the Southern Manufacturing & Electronics Show 2025

The use of precious metals in 3D printing opens up new possibilities for industrial applications, especially in extreme environments where conventional materials reach their limits. Cookson Industrial, a Birmingham-based company, will be showcasing a wide range of components made from precious metals using additive manufacturing (AM) at the Southern Manufacturing & Electronics Show 2025. In addition to components, gas-atomized precious metal powders and semi-processed products will also be presented, highlighting the versatility of this technology.

The use of precious metals such as platinum or gold in 3D printing offers advantages in industries that rely on maximum material performance. Cookson Industrial sees great potential in the aerospace industry in particular. For example, the company is working on the development of satellite engines in which the weight of the components is to be reduced and the use of hazardous substances such as hydrazine minimized. Such advances could not only improve safety, but also efficiency in space travel.

Cookson Industrial uses advanced machines such as the EOS Precious M 080 and the Renishaw AM 500S Flex in its own factory. These machines enable the production of complex designs, including intricate lattice structures that would not be possible using traditional manufacturing methods. Visitors to the show will be able to find out more about the applications and benefits of precious metal AM technology.

Nikesh Patel, Head of Cookson Industrial, comments: “The Southern Manufacturing & Electronics Show is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our new products to the UK’s subcontract manufacturing base, especially given their role in the country’s burgeoning aerospace industry. Previously, the use of precious metals in manufacturing has largely been confined to jewellery and luxury lifestyle applications. We are pushing to redefine precious metals for AM and visiting us at the show will clearly demonstrate the leaps and bounds we have made towards exploring its potential for use in performance-critical manufacturing applications.”