Michelin buys another AddUp FormUp 350 metal 3D printer for series production of tire molds

Michelin Molding Solutions (MMS) has purchased its second AddUp FormUp 350 Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) following the successful installation and operation of the first machine in 2022. This machine is the sixth in a growing global fleet of FormUp machines currently in operation across Europe and North America. Thanks to the productivity and volume production capabilities of AddUp’s printers, each new FormUp 350 replaces five older AM machines.

The AddUp FormUp 350 machines are part of a growing global fleet already in operation in Europe and North America. Each of these machines replaces five older models, marking a significant advance in MQL’s production capacity and quality. This is particularly relevant for the production of complex tire molds, which are critical to the performance of Michelin tires. The geometric complexity of these molds often cannot be achieved with traditional manufacturing methods, justifying the use of metal additive manufacturing (AM) for nearly two decades.

“MMS is very pleased with the productivity and quality achievable on AddUp’s FormUp 350. This level of productivity allowed us to decommission older and less productive 3D printers. We’ve seen improvements in the cleanliness and safety of our operations and our operators very much appreciate its ease of use from build plate programming to machine set up and the machine user interface.” explains Glen Nelson, Technical Development Manager at MMS.

One FormUp 350 can produce the amount of tire mold inserts that previously required five metal 3D printers, and do so faster and more reliably. By industrializing metal AM, MMS has produced millions of mold inserts with increasingly sophisticated shapes over the past two decades to improve traction and wear over the life of the tires. This development reflects not only the advances in additive manufacturing, but also Michelin’s commitment to innovation and efficiency in tire production.