MAN Energy Solutions relies on the SLM NXG XII 600 3D Printer

MAN Energy Solutions has expanded its additive manufacturing capabilities with the SLM NXG XII 600 at its Oberhausen plant. This plant has been a central hub for additive manufacturing innovations since mid-2019 and uses an SLM 280 series printer alongside other AM machines.

The possibilities for metallic 3D printing are hardly limited at MAN Energy Solutions due to the high product variance. “The expansion of the company’s own manufacturing capabilities will allow the range of components to be extended on the one hand and the productivity of the existing applications to be increased on the other”, says Michael Kleinhenz, Head of the Supply Chain and Production at MAN Energy Solutions in Oberhausen.

“Each new generation of printers is expanding our additive manufacturing capabilities”. explains Anders Such as Head of Additive Manufacturing in Oberhausen, which also includes laser welding. “For example, the new installation space of 600 mm x 600 mm x 600 mm on the NXG enables the Industries business unit to additively manufacture small housings”.

Further development potential lies in the area of topology-optimized components. “Thanks to the newly enabled geometric freedom, designs can be further optimized in terms of availability, performance, service life, costs and service,” explains site manager Dr. Sven-Hendrik Wiers, Head of Engineering at MAN Energy Solutions in Oberhausen. “We are on the threshold of a new age where traditional manufacturing constraints are being overturned by AM. It’s time to adopt an additive perspective at the start of the product lifecycle and reimagine geometries”.

“In the relentless quest to decarb industry, we at SLM Solutions are thrilled to stand alongside MAN Energy Solutions as they transcend conventional manufacturing boundaries and mold the future of the industry”, posits Remarks Ralf Frohwerk, Global Head of Business Development at SLM Solutions Group AG.

MAN Energy Solutions uses AM in diverse applications, including parts for compressors, turbines and engines, and is exploring additive processes for hydrogen and the use of additive manufacturing for transmission compressor components.