AddUp and WBA partner for AM in the tooling industry
The WBA Aachener Werkzeugbau Akademie GmbH, Aachen, Germany, and AddUp, Clermont-Ferrand, France, have stated that they will introduce new manufacturing processes for metal Additive Manufacturing technologies for toolmaking starting in 2022. As part of this collaboration, AddUp’s Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) FormUp 350 New Generation machine will be installed at the WBA Demonstration Tool Shop early next year.
The quad-laser FormUp 350 will be specialised in hard tool steel and applications in mould making and medical tools. The WBA will provide its process chain for the mechanical post-processing and thus finish the parts ready for use. In addition to the main intention of toolmaking, the partners have stated that there is the possibility of using the machine to eventually additively manufacture initial prototypes, demonstrators, and small-series productions.
“The future of tool making is not bound to the traditional manufacturing technologies,” stated Prof Dr-Ing Wolfgang Boos, Managing Partner of WBA. “Additive Manufacturing sees growing demand from tool makers. Especially, in Germany tool makers are looking for solutions to drive innovation and digitalisation in their tool shops. At WBA, we strive to represent all capabilities of German tool making in our Demonstration Tool Shop. AddUp shares our passion for innovation and we look forward to creating new solutions for a sustainable toolmaking industry.”
Julien Marcilly, Deputy CEO, AddUp added, “We are proud of this partnership with WBA. It is a great opportunity for AddUp to introduce its FormUp 350 machine and its know-how in the birthplace of Additive Manufacturing. Thanks to this partnership, companies of the tooling industry will take advantage of this disruptive technology.”
In the future, WBA and AddUp have expressed hope that interested parties and customers of either partner will be able to gain initial experience on the FormUp 350 during workshops, training sessions and demonstrations.
