3D Systems and Oerlikon collaborate to scale metal Additive Manufacturing in high-criticality markets
July 13, 2023
3D Systems, based in Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA, and Oerlikon AM, Pfäffikon, Schwyz, Switzerland, have announced a collaboration agreement said to further scale metal Additive Manufacturing and provide a faster path to market for applications in high-criticality industries such as semiconductor and aerospace. As part of this agreement, Oerlikon AM is acquiring its fourth DMP Factory 500 Additive Manufacturing machine from 3D Systems, which will be the first such machine installed at Oerlikon AM’s US facility in North Carolina.
“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 industrialisation of metal AM through an integrated team approach between the customer, printer OEM, and manufacturing partner. The efficiency gains will maximise the benefits of Additive Manufacturing across design, materials, printing, and post-processing to break performance barriers in the manufacturing supply chain.”
Together, 3D Systems’ Additive Manufacturing technology and Oerlikon’s AM production and surface engineering capabilities are expected to result in a validated, certified production process for Oerlikon’s customers. This workflow includes the DMP Factory 500, a platform featuring a vacuum chamber to ensure the lowest oxygen content, and a three-laser configuration for the production of parts as large as 500 mm x 500 mm x 500 mm.
“Industries such as aerospace and semiconductor manufacturing require precision without compromise,” added 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 minimised supply chain disruption. I’m looking forward to seeing how our collaboration can amplify and accelerate the potential of metal AM.”
